Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stable routing protocol based on fuzzy logic system in vehicular ad hoc networks

Vehicular ad‐hoc networks have several roles in alert messages dissemination between vehicles in danger, the most important role is to provide helpful information for drivers (eg, road traffic state). But, some performance improvements are frequently needed in terms of routing. Hence, several clustering approaches have been proposed to optimize the network services. These approaches are based on increasing data delivery, reducing data congestion, and dividing the traffic into clusters. However, a stable clustering algorithm is always required in order to ensure the data dissemination in a dense, mobile, or a large‐scale environment. Therefore, in this paper, we have proposed a stable routing protocol based on the fuzzy logic system, which can deliver alert messages with minimum delay and improve the stability of clusters structure by generating only a small number of clusters in the network. In this work, the fuzzy logic system has been used to create the clusters and select a cluster head for each cluster. We have used the network simulator (NS2) to generate the results. As a result, we could reduce the cluster head changes and increase the cluster member lifetime compared with recent approaches.
Have we realized the full potential of β‐lactams for treating drug‐resistant TB?

β‐lactams are the most widely used antibiotics and are effective against a spectrum of pathogenic bacteria. Here, we focus on the state‐of‐the‐art understanding of the molecular underpinnings that determine the overall efficacy of β‐lactams against TB and include historical perspectives of this antibiotic class against this ancient disease. We summarize literature that describes why earlier generations of β‐lactams are ineffective and the potential promise of newer β‐lactams that exhibit improved efficacy against TB. Emerging evidence warrants renewed consideration of newer β‐lactams in regimens for treatment of drug‐resistant TB. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(9):881–888, 2018
SparkCUDE: a spark-based differential evolution for large-scale global optimisation

Differential evolution (DE) is one of the efficient evolutionary algorithms over larger-scale global optimisation problems. Recently, the new cloud computing models (such as Spark) have drawn attentions to deal with larger-scale global optimisation problems. Spark provides effective support for iterative algorithms. However, we have noted that simultaneous combination of the excellent DE variant and the improved spark computing model to enhance the optimisation performance and reduce the computation times has not exploited. In this paper, we propose a Spark-based DE algorithm for larger-scale global optimisation problems, called SparkCUDE, in which the Spark computation model with ring topology is introduced and the CUDE algorithm is employed as the internal optimiser. The original CUDE was proposed in our previous work, in which uniform local search enhances exploitation ability and the commensal learning is proposed to adaptively select optimal mutation strategy and parameter setting simultaneously under the same criteria. Experimental studies are conducted on the benchmark functions of CEC2010 on large-scale global optimisation. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Deletion of muscle IGF‐I transiently impairs growth and progressively disrupts glucose homeostasis in male mice

Insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) are essential for local skeletal muscle growth and organismal physiology, but these actions are entwined with glucose homeostasis through convergence with insulin signaling. The objective of this work was to determine whether the effects of IGF‐I on growth and metabolism could be separated. We generated muscle‐specific IGF‐I‐deficient (MID) mice that afford inducible deletion of Igf1 at any age. After Igf1 deletion at birth or in young adult mice, evaluations of muscle physiology and glucose homeostasis were performed up to 16 wk of age. MID mice generated at birth had lower muscle and circulating IGF‐I, decreased muscle and body mass, and impaired muscle force production. Eight‐wk‐old male MID had heightened insulin levels with trends of elevated fasting glucose. This phenotype progressed to impaired glucose handling and increased fat deposition without significant muscle mass loss at 16 wk of age. The same phenotype emerged in 16‐wk‐old MID mice induced at 12 wk of age, compounded with heightened muscle fatigability and exercise intolerance. We assert that muscle IGF‐I independently modulates anabolism and metabolism in an age‐dependent manner, thus positioning muscle IGF‐I maintenance to be critical for both muscle growth and metabolic homeostasis. —Vassilakos, G. , Lei, H. , Yang, Y. , Puglise, J., Matheny, M. , Durzynska, J., Ozery, M. , Bennett, K. , Spradlin, R. , Bonanno, H. , Park, S. , Ahima, R. S. , Barton, E. R. Deletion of muscle IGF‐I transiently impairs growth and progressively disrupts glucose homeostasis in male mice. FASEB J. 33, 181–194 (2019). www.fasebj. org
Interdisciplinary research with complex plasmas

The effect of a levitating cloud of microparticles on the parameters of a radiofrequency (RF) plasma has been studied by means of two experimental techniques. Axial distributions of 1s excited states of argon were measured by a self‐absorption method. A correction of a standard self‐absorption method for the extinction of the light by the levitating microparticles is proposed. In addition the electron temperature was estimated using the optical emission spectroscopy. Measurements at the same discharge conditions in a microparticle‐free discharge and discharge, containing a cloud of levitating microparticles, revealed the non‐local influence of the microparticle cloud on the discharge plasma. The most probable cause of this influence is the disturbance of the ionization balance by the levitating microparticles.
A Life Participation Approach to Primary Progressive Aphasia Intervention

Abstract Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a clinical neurodegenerative dementia syndrome characterized by deficits in spoken and written word retrieval, word usage, and/or word comprehension. Currently, there are no effective treatments to reverse or halt the underlying disease process; however, speech–language therapy may be helpful. The Communication Bridge Care Model was developed to address the unique communication and quality of life needs of individuals living with PPA. The core elements include person-centered care with dyadic instruction for disease education, and counseling, along with tailored levels of impairment- and compensatory-based communication strategy training. Our multicomponent approach incorporates guidance from the Life Participation Approach for Aphasia, including client-directed assessment and interventions that aim to maximize functional communication and participation in desired life activities. The direct and indirect use of technology is integrated into our tailored model of care to facilitate achievement of the client's functional goals. Here, we describe how to practically apply the Communication Bridge Care Model across treatment settings, including case examples from the Communication Bridge research study. This approach to care provides an opportunity to maximize communication effectiveness and quality of life for individuals living with PPA throughout the course of disease.
USING THE MAPS AND MOSI PROGRAMS TO MONITOR LANDBIRDS AND INFORM CONSERVATION

Mist-netting and banding networks can complement count-based monitoring and provide focus for research and conservation of migratory landbirds. Here we describe two banding networks, one that operates during the breeding season, the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program, and one that operates during the overwintering period, the Monitoreo de Sobrevivencia Invernal (MoSI) program. We provide an example, using data for Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), of how data from these networks can be used to infer spatial patterns in adult apparent survival rates (survival) and understand linkages between breeding and wintering populations. We estimated survival of Swainson’s Thrush from MAPS data at the scale of Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). Survival was highest in the Northern Rockies and Atlantic Northern Forest BCRs and lowest in the Northwestern Interior Forest and Boreal Taiga Plains BCRs. We used wing chord to study migratory connectivity. Spatial patterning in wing chord suggested links between northerly portions of the breeding range and northern Rocky Mountains and birds overwintering farthest south. This pattern is consistent with the literature and illustrates the utility of using a simple metric measured at banding stations to understand migratory connectivity. Although our example analysis for Swainson’s Thrush highlights the utility of these banding programs for providing focus for research and conservation, it also highlights the need for growth of these programs to fi ll geographic gaps in the distribution of banding stations and to target habitats and species of high conservation priority.
An ontology‐based framework for automatic topic detection in multilingual environments

The detection of topics from large textual data volumes is currently a research area, which has many applications in the development of computational systems. A proposed solution for the detection of topics in data mining is the application of clustering methods. This paper presents the application of a new ontology‐based methodology for the automatic topic detection without any previous information based on the use of hierarchical clustering algorithms and a multilingual knowledge base. The approach also includes lexical resources that allow us to enrich the semantics of the analyzed texts. The novelty of this approach consists of the dimensionality reduction of the terms present in the texts by using ontology and the introduction of a method for the creation of a term weight matrix for use in clustering algorithms. With this approach, it is possible to improve automatic topic detection in documents. The proposed methodology was assessed with four datasets (two of them in English and two in Spanish).
The Mammalian Intestinal Microbiome: Composition, Interaction with the Immune System, Significance for Vaccine Efficacy, and Potential for Disease Therapy

The mammalian gut is colonized by a large variety of microbes, collectively termed ‘the microbiome’. The gut microbiome undergoes rapid changes during the first few years of life and is highly variable in adulthood depending on various factors. With the gut being the largest organ of immune responses, the composition of the microbiome of the gut has been found to be correlated with qualitative and quantitative differences of mucosal and systemic immune responses. Animal models have been very useful to unravel the relationship between gut microbiome and immune responses and for the understanding of variations of immune responses to vaccination in different childhood populations. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying optimal immune responses to infection or vaccination are not fully understood. The gut virome and gut bacteria can interact, with bacteria facilitating viral infectivity by different mechanisms. Some gut bacteria, which have a beneficial effect on increasing immune responses or by overgrowing intestinal pathogens, are considered to act as probiotics and can be used for therapeutic purposes (as in the case of fecal microbiome transplantation).
Older kidney transplantation candidates’ expectations of improvement in life and health following kidney transplantation: semistructured interviews with enlisted dialysis patients aged 65 years and older

Objective The aim was to study the expectations of improvement in life and health following kidney transplantation (KTx) in a population of wait-listed patients ≥65 years with end-stage kidney disease. Design Qualitative research with individual in-depth interviews. Setting Patients on dialysis enlisted for a KTx from a deceased donor were included from an ongoing study of older patients’ perspectives on KTx. Qualitative face-to-face interviews were conducted in a safe and familiar setting, and were analysed thematically using the theoretical framework of lifespan. Informants Fifteen patients (median age 70 years, range 65–82) from all parts of Norway were interviewed. Informants were included consecutively until no new information was gained. Results Two main themes were evident: receiving a kidney is getting life back and grasp the chance. In addition, the themes ‘hard to loose capacity and strength’, ‘reduced freedom’ and ‘life on hold’ described the actual situation and thereby illuminated the informants’ expectations. The informants tried to balance positive expectations and realism towards KTx, and they were hoping to become free from dialysis and to live a normal life. Conclusion This study shows that older KTx candidates comprise a heterogeneous group of patients who take individual approaches that allow them to maintain autonomy and control while waiting for a transplant. This study provides new knowledge about the older KTx candidates relevant for clinicians, patients and researchers.
Self-Centered Single Valued Neutrosophic Graphs

In this paper, we introduce the concepts of length, distance, eccentricity, radius, diameter, status, total status, median and central vertex of a single valued neutrosophic graph. We present the concept of self-centered single valued neutrosophic graph. We investigated some properties of selfcentered single valued neutrosophic graphs.
Optimisation and improvement of in-line filtration performance in water treatment for a typical low turbidity source water

ABSTRACT Forest catchments can produce high quality source water with a low turbidity. However, the combination of low turbidity, low organic carbon, and low temperature water conditions presents operating challenges in conventional water treatment processes. In this study, in-line filtration was tested using pilot-scale filter columns, and was found to be an appropriate option to treat a typical low turbidity water originating from the Rocky Mountains near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. When alum and cationic polymer were dosed simultaneously, in-line filtration produced high quality effluent with a turbidity and a particle count value of less than 0.1 NTU and 50 counts/mL, respectively. However, the alum and polymer doses and their ratios played important roles in the filtration efficiency. In general, short filter ripening times (i.e. <15 min) required an alum dose of at least 3 mg/L and an alum to polymer dose ratio of less than 180:1. A longer filter stable period was associated with lower alum and polymer doses, as long as their doses were at least 2 and 0.024 mg/L, respectively, and their dose ratio was maintained in the range of 30:1 to 130:1. The optimal alum and polymer doses were observed to be 3 and 0.072 mg/L, respectively. Filter performance was enhanced when higher alum and polymer doses were used for ripening, and lower doses were applied during the stable filtration period. In addition, in-line filtration resulted in the reduction of microspheres by 3.6 logs under the tested water conditions. Hence, a similar removal efficiency is anticipated for Cryptosporidium. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
A stable control for second-order nonholonomic planar underactuated mechanical system: energy attenuation approach

ABSTRACT A stable control strategy is proposed via energy attenuation to realise the position control for a second-order nonholonomic planar four-link active-passive-active-active (APAA) underactuated mechanical system. Since a first-order nonholonomic planar passive-active-active (PAA) system can be stabilised at the target position, we control the first link based on the principle of energy attenuation to target value and the planar APAA system is reduced to be a first-order nonholonomic PAA system, where the target value is selected to ensure the target position comes within the reachable area of the PAA system. Meanwhile, we divide the control of the reduced-order PAA system into two stages based on the holonomic characteristic of planar acrobot, and the target angles of which are obtained according to the target position by using the simulated annealing algorithm. Each stage controllers of the reduced-order system are designed according to its control target. Finally, the validity of the control strategy is demonstrated via the simulations.
A Novel Type of Nucleic Acid-based Biosensors: the Use of PNA Probes, Associated with Surface Science and Electrochemical Detection Techniques

DNA biosensors are now recognized as unvaluable tools for detecting target genes responsible for diseases, or pollution, in various fields (Fodor et al., 1991; DeRisi et al., 1997; Landegren et al., 1998). Therefore, detection of DNA hybridisation is of significant scientific and technological importance, as manifest, for example, from the growing interest in chip-based characterisation of gene expression pattern and detection of pathogens. DNA biosensors technologies are currently under intense investigation owing to their great promise for rapid and low-cost detection of specific DNA sequences. These technologies commonly rely on the immobilisation of a single-strand (ss) DNA probe onto optical, electrochemical, or mass-sensitive transducers (Xu et al., 1995; Mikkelsen et al., 1996; Okahata et al., 1992). There is still a crucial need to improve the sensitivity, selectivity and rapidity of the DNA hybridisation detection. Among the possible strategies, a new artificial Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA), a highly specific probe, combined with the use of surface science techniques to optimise the sensing layer as well as to detect biomolecular recognition, open promising ways to win this biotechnological challenge. This chapter will focus on these two novel aspects of DNA biosensors.
Predictive Control Over a Dynamical Token Bucket Network

In systems subject to communication constraints, carefully scheduling the transmission of updated control values can greatly improve the trade-off between communication effort and control performance. In this letter, we consider a dynamical communication network together with a predictive controller that has explicit knowledge thereof. In the usual fashion of rollout strategies in networked control, the controller both schedules transmissions and computes the corresponding control values. Using tools from model predictive control, stability of the considered setup for nonlinear, constrained plants is established. The special case of linear plants is investigated in more detail. Furthermore, strict performance improvement over a feasible baseline control is established in case that the plant is additionally unconstrained. By means of a numerical example, effectiveness of the considered approach is demonstrated.
Dementia and Hearing Loss: Interrelationships and Treatment Considerations

Abstract Hearing loss is common among typically aging older adults and those with dementia. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the relationship between hearing and cognition among older adults, and in hearing loss as a modifiable risk factor for dementia. However, relatively less attention has been focused on the management of hearing loss among individuals with dementia and the key roles of speech–language pathologists and audiologists in providing such care. In this article, the authors review the literature on hearing loss and dementia, and analyze the research evidence for treatment of hearing loss in the context of major neurocognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. This article provides an up-to-date review of research evidence for hearing interventions, as well as recommendations for speech–language pathologists and audiologists to work together to ensure access to hearing health care and increased opportunities for meaningful life engagement for people with dementia and hearing loss.
Monocular Visual Odometry Benchmarking and Turn Performance Optimization

Developing ground robots for crop monitoring and harvesting in steep slope vineyards is a complex challenge due to two main reasons: harsh condition of the terrain and unstable localization accuracy obtained with Global Navigation Satellite System. In this context, a reliable localization system requires an accurate and redundant information to Global Navigation Satellite System and wheel odometry based system. To pursue this goal we benchmark 3 well known Visual Odometry methods with 2 datasets. Two of these are feature-based Visual Odometry algorithms: Libviso2 and SVO 2.0. The third is an appearance-based Visual Odometry algorithm called DSO. In monocular Visual Odometry, two main problems appear: pure rotations and scale estimation. In this paper, we focus on the first issue. To do so, we propose a Kalman Filter to fuse a single gyroscope with the output pose of monocular Visual Odometry, while estimating gyroscope's bias continuously. In this approach we propose a non-linear noise variation that ensures that bias estimation is not affected by Visual Odometry resultant rotations. We compare and discuss the three unchanged methods and the three methods with the proposed additional Kalman Filter. For tests, two public datasets are used: the Kitti dataset and another built in-house. Results show that our additional Kalman Filter highly improves Visual Odometry performance in rotation movements.
Mind-Body Practices and the Self: Yoga and Meditation Do Not Quiet the Ego but Instead Boost Self-Enhancement

Mind-body practices enjoy immense public and scientific interest. Yoga and meditation are highly popular. Purportedly, they foster well-being by curtailing self-enhancement bias. However, this “ego-quieting” effect contradicts an apparent psychological universal, the self-centrality principle. According to this principle, practicing any skill renders that skill self-central, and self-centrality breeds self-enhancement bias. We examined those opposing predictions in the first tests of mind-body practices’ self-enhancement effects. In Experiment 1, we followed 93 yoga students over 15 weeks, assessing self-centrality and self-enhancement bias after yoga practice (yoga condition, n = 246) and without practice (control condition, n = 231). In Experiment 2, we followed 162 meditators over 4 weeks (meditation condition: n = 246; control condition: n = 245). Self-enhancement bias was higher in the yoga (Experiment 1) and meditation (Experiment 2) conditions, and those effects were mediated by greater self-centrality. Additionally, greater self-enhancement bias mediated mind-body practices’ well-being benefits. Evidently, neither yoga nor meditation fully quiet the ego; to the contrary, they boost self-enhancement.
When not to have another baby: An evolutionary approach to low fertility

Background: In this paper, I explain the theoretical foundations of fertility from the perspective of evolutionary demography and evolutionary anthropology. Objective: My goal in this paper is to provide examples of how evolutionary demography is generating and testing new hypotheses about human fertility and parental behaviour. Methods: To illustrate the paradigm of low fertility, I present several evolutionary explanations for reduced fertility, or no fertility at all. The explanations I cite are drawn from studies on child maltreatment, homosexual preference, post-demographic transition low fertility, and late-life low fertility (menopause), as these are phenomena that appear to challenge evolutionary approaches. Conclusions: I find that the sophisticated tools of behavioural ecology and evolutionary anthropology and demography can do more than simply explain high fertility, and are currently being used to generate and test new hypotheses about fertility, including hypotheses that address the issue of low fertility.