Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Mathematical Model to Evaluate the Impact of Packet Retransmissions in LoRaWAN

Internet of Things (IoT) network enabling technologies are expected to support a broad range of applications with significant variations in application requirements. LoRaWAN is intended to address delay tolerant, low-data-rate applications such as agriculture, some of the smart city and smart environment applications, and inventory management systems while facilitating long range transmission of application nodes. Network lifetime, which can be broadly defined as the network operational duration fulfilling application objectives, is one of the most important key network performance indicators for IoT applications. In many real world sensor network applications, a nonrenewable battery is used as the energy source of the nodes and death of essential nodes to perform the meaningful network operation, which is marked by either the complete depletion of energy or unusable residual energy, determines the lifetime of a network. Typically, the furthest nodes in LoRa networks determine network lifetime as single-hop communication remains the trend. While packet retransmission helps recover lost packets and LoRa networks allow up to eight retransmissions, network lifetime can suffer significantly as nodes are required to transmit more packets. In order to strike a deal between expected network lifetime and number of packet retransmissions, it would be important to foresee the impacts of each retransmission in a network.
GENERALIZATION AND DISPLACEMENT IN LAC 1 Lateral Attitude Change: Does Acceptance Versus Rejection of Focal Change Cause Generalization Versus Displacement?

The lateral attitude change (LAC) model distinguishes between generalization effects, where explicit and implicit attitude change toward a focal object generalize to similar, lateral objects, and displacement effects, where there is no explicit attitude change on the focal object, but only on lateral objects. To test the notion that conscious acceptance versus rejection of focal change distinguishes between the two patterns, female participants (N = 201) underwent positive versus negative evaluative conditioning (EC) of two focal objects and were then either not asked or asked to ignore the stimulus pairings they had seen in EC (rejection manipulation). Later, explicit and implicit attitudes toward the focal objects as well as toward several lateral objects were assessed via selfreports and an affect misattribution procedure, respectively. Unexpectedly, results showed that explicit focal attitudes were affected by EC independently of the rejection manipulation; also unexpectedly, EC effects on implicit focal attitudes depended on the rejection manipulation, with an EC effect evident only in the no-rejection conditions. Explicit lateral attitudes also were affected by EC independently of the rejection manipulation, whereas implicit lateral attitudes only showed a trend toward an EC effect. Thus, explicit generalization effects were observed, but no evidence for displacement effects was found. Furthermore, relative similarity of the lateral objects to the focal object did not moderate the strength of generalization effects. Conceptual and methodological implications for LAC are discussed.
Effects of intercropping and varietal mixtures on the cassava hornworm, Erinnyis ello L. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), and the stemborer, Chilomima clarkei (Amsel) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in Colombia

Abstract Cropping system effects on population levels of the cassava hornworm, Erinnyis ello L. , and cassava stemborer, Chilomima clarkei (Amsel) were studied in three growing seasons between 1983 and 1985 in the Department of Tolima, Colombia. In the first trial, herbivore density was compared between cassava/maize intercrops and monocultures grown at two different densities. In subsequent experiments, cassava monoculture and intercrops with maize and cowpea were grown at one cassava density. In the first trial, hornworm and stemborer numbers per square metre were higher in denser plantings of cassava. However, pest density per plant was greater in sparse stands. Effects of intercropping on hornworm incidence varied with cassava and maize varieties with reduced levels in some combinations but not others. Stemborers were lower in intercrops than in monoculture; however, this cropping system advantage disappeared after intercrop harvest. Cassava varieties differed in levels of both herbivores but varietal .
Antibacterial Discovery: 21st Century Challenges

It has been nearly 50 years since the golden age of antibiotic discovery (1945–1975) ended; yet, we still struggle to identify novel drug targets and to deliver new chemical classes of antibiotics to replace those rendered obsolete by drug resistance. Despite herculean efforts utilizing a wide range of antibiotic discovery platform strategies, including genomics, bioinformatics, systems biology and postgenomic approaches, success has been at best incremental. Obviously, finding new classes of antibiotics is really hard, so repeating the old strategies, while expecting different outcomes, seems to boarder on insanity. The key questions dealt with in this review include: (1) If mutation based drug resistance is the major challenge to any new antibiotic, is it possible to find drug targets and new chemical entities that can escape this outcome; (2) Is the number of novel chemical classes of antibacterials limited by the number of broad spectrum drug targets; and (3) If true, then should we focus efforts on subgroups of pathogens like Gram negative or positive bacteria only, anaerobic bacteria or other group where the range of common essential genes is likely greater? This review also provides some examples of existing drug targets that appear to escape the specter of mutation based drug resistance, and provides examples of some intermediate spectrum strategies as well as modern molecular and genomic approaches likely to improve the odds of delivering 21st century medicines to combat multidrug resistant pathogens.
The Fecundity, Seed, and Seedling Ecology of the Edible Palm Euterpe edulis in Southeastern Brazil 1

Euterpe edulis flowers at the beginning of the wet season and fruits over an extended period during the end of the wet season and the dry season. Reproductive plants produced an average of ca 1500 fruits within a season. Five species of birds belonging to the family Turdidae were observed to feed on and disperse the fruits. Most seeds fell directly to the ground, where there was some subsequent local dispersal by water. The dispersion of seeds was highly clumped with most seeds being found in close proximity to adult plants; the distance of dispersal could be described by a negative power curve. Germination was higher on wetter soils. The probability of seedlings advancing to the next size class within a year was inversely related to the density of seedlings, and occurred optimally at ca 4 m from adult plants. The latter observation indicates that the survival and growth of seedlings are suppressed in the immediate vicinity of conspecific adults.
New Monte Carlo Localization Using Deep Initialization: A Three-Dimensional LiDAR and a Camera Fusion Approach

Fast and accurate global localization of autonomous ground vehicles is often required in indoor environments and GPS-shaded areas. Typically, with regard to global localization problem, the entire environment should be observed for a long time to converge. To overcome this limitation, a new initialization method called deep initialization is proposed and it is applied to Monte Carlo localization (MCL). The proposed method is based on the combination of a three-dimensional (3D) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and a camera. Using a camera, pose regression based on a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) is conducted to initialize particles of MCL. Particles are sampled from the tangent space to a manifold structure of the group of rigid motion. Using a 3D LiDAR as a sensor, a particle filter is applied to estimate the sensor pose. Furthermore, we propose a re-localization method for performing initialization whenever a localization failure or the situation of robot kidnapping is detected. Either the localization failure or the kidnapping is detected by combining the outputs from a camera and 3D LiDAR. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a mobile robot platform to prove the method’s effectiveness in terms of both the localization accuracy and time consumed for estimating the pose correctly.
Cell division and filament splitting in Methanothrix concilii

Cells of Methanothrix concilii do not possess rigid, shape-forming cell walls; they obtain their cellular form from the portions of the sheath and spacer plugs which enclose them. Electron microscopy has shown that cell division proceeds by the ingrowth of spacer plugs, like the closing of a camera iris, from select regions of the sheath; this process forces the cells to split in two. Therefore, each spacer plug which traverses the filament of cells is a completed division annulus. Spacer plugs are two-layered structures; one layer is an assembly of fine concentric rings and is the first to be laid down during the division ingrowth. The second layer consists of larger, raised, concentric ribbons which progressively follow the advance of the first layer during division. Although cells within the filament are typically 2.5 μm long, new daughter cells are ca. 1.0 μm and can grow to ca. 4.0 μm before division begins. Frequently, a developing spacer plug partitions a cell so that one daughter is a small, nonre.
A typical antipsychotic treatment induced gradually expanding white matter alterations in healthy individuals with persistent auditory verbal hallucinations—an artificially controlled pilot study

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effects of atypical antipsychotics (AaPs) on brain white matter (WM) tracts in healthy individuals with auditory verbal hallucinations (Hi-AVHs). Methods We analyzed neuroimaging, AVH symptoms, and cognitive assessment data obtained from 39 Hi-AVHs who reported being distressed by persistent AVHs and volunteered to receive AaP treatment. We used tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and t tests to explore AaP pharmacotherapy effects on AVH symptoms and brain WM alterations in Hi-AVH subjects. Results TBSS and t tests revealed WM alterations after AaP treatment, relative to pretreatment observations. Although AaPs alleviated AVH symptoms, WM alterations in these subjects expanded over 8 months of AaP treatment, encompassing most major WM tracts by the end of the observation period, including the corpus callosum, arcuate fasciculus, cortico-spinal tracts, anterior commissure, and posterior commissure. Conclusions The worsening of AaP-associated WM alterations observed in this study suggest that AaPs may not be a good choice for the treatment of Hi-AVHs despite their ability to alleviate AVHs.
A Review of IoT Sensing Applications and Challenges Using RFID and Wireless Sensor Networks

Radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless sensors networks (WSNs) are two fundamental pillars that enable the Internet of Things (IoT). RFID systems are able to identify and track devices, whilst WSNs cooperate to gather and provide information from interconnected sensors. This involves challenges, for example, in transforming RFID systems with identification capabilities into sensing and computational platforms, as well as considering them as architectures of wirelessly connected sensing tags. This, together with the latest advances in WSNs and with the integration of both technologies, has resulted in the opportunity to develop novel IoT applications. This paper presents a review of these two technologies and the obstacles and challenges that need to be overcome. Some of these challenges are the efficiency of the energy harvesting, communication interference, fault tolerance, higher capacities to handling data processing, cost feasibility, and an appropriate integration of these factors. Additionally, two emerging trends in IoT are reviewed: the combination of RFID and WSNs in order to exploit their advantages and complement their limitations, and wearable sensors, which enable new promising IoT applications.
Emoji can facilitate recognition of conveyed indirect meaning

In face-to-face communication there are multiple paralinguistic and gestural features that facilitate recognition of a speaker’s intended meaning, features that are lacking when people communicate digitally (e.g., texting). As a result, substitutes have emerged (expressive punctuation, capitalization, etc.) to facilitate communication in these situations. However, little is known about the comprehension processes involved in digital communication. In this research we examined the role of emoji in the comprehension of face-threatening, indirect replies. Participants in two experiments read question–reply sequences and then judged the accuracy of interpretations of the replies. On critical trials the reply violated the relation maxim and conveyed a negative, face-threatening response. On one-third of the trials the reply contained only text, on one-third of the trials the reply contained text and an emoji, and on one-third of the trials the reply contained only an emoji. When the question requested potentially negative information about one of the interactants (disclosures and opinions), participants were more likely to endorse the indirect meaning of the reply, and did so faster, when the reply contained an emoji than when it did not. This effect did not occur when the question was a request for action, a more conventional type of indirect reply. Overall, then, this research demonstrates that emoji can sometimes facilitate the comprehension of meaning. Future research is needed to examine the boundary conditions for this effect.
Mechanobiology of the brain in ageing and Alzheimer's disease

Just as the epigenome, the proteome and the electrophysiological properties of a cell influence its function, so too do its intrinsic mechanical properties and its extrinsic mechanical environment. This is especially true for neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) as long‐term maintenance of synaptic connections relies on efficient axonal transport machinery and structural stability of the cytoskeleton. Recent reports suggest that profound physical changes occur in the CNS microenvironment with advancing age which, in turn, will impact highly mechanoresponsive neurons and glial cells. Here, we discuss the complex and inhomogeneous mechanical structure of CNS tissue, as revealed by recent mechanical measurements on the brain and spinal cord, using techniques such as magnetic resonance elastography and atomic force microscopy. Moreover, ageing, traumatic brain injury, demyelination and neurodegeneration can perturb the mechanical properties of brain tissue and trigger mechanobiological signalling pathways in neurons, glia and cerebral vasculature. It is, therefore, very likely that significant changes in cell and tissue mechanics contribute to age‐related cognitive decline and deficits in memory formation which are accelerated and magnified in neurodegenerative states, such as Alzheimer's disease. Importantly, we are now beginning to understand how neuronal and glial cell mechanics and brain tissue mechanobiology are intimately linked with neurophysiology and cognition.
Circulating Ionized Magnesium as a Measure of Supplement Bioavailability: Results from a Pilot Study for Randomized Clinical Trial

Oral supplementation may improve the dietary intake of magnesium, which has been identified as a shortfall nutrient. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate appropriate methods for assessing responses to the ingestion of oral magnesium supplements, including ionized magnesium in whole blood (iMg2+) concentration, serum total magnesium concentration, and total urinary magnesium content. In a single-blinded crossover study, 17 healthy adults were randomly assigned to consume 300 mg of magnesium from MgCl2 (ReMag®, a picosized magnesium formulation) or placebo, while having a low-magnesium breakfast. Blood and urine samples were obtained for the measurement of iMg2+, serum total magnesium, and total urine magnesium, during 24 h following the magnesium supplement or placebo dosing. Bioavailability was assessed using area-under-the-curve (AUC) as well as maximum (Cmax) and time-to-maximum (Tmax) concentration. Depending on normality, data were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation or median (range), and differences between responses to MgCl2 or placebo were measured using the paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Following MgCl2 administration versus placebo administration, we observed significantly greater increases in iMg2+ concentrations (AUC = 1.51 ± 0.96 vs. 0.84 ± 0.82 mg/dL•24h; Cmax = 1.38 ± 0.13 vs. 1.32 ± 0.07 mg/dL, respectively; both p < 0.05) but not in serum total magnesium (AUC = 27.00 [0, 172.93] vs. 14.55 [0, 91.18] mg/dL•24h; Cmax = 2.38 [1.97, 4.01] vs. 2.24 [1.98, 4.31] mg/dL) or in urinary magnesium (AUC = 201.74 ± 161.63 vs. 139.30 ± 92.84 mg•24h; Cmax = 26.12 [12.91, 88.63] vs. 24.38 [13.51, 81.51] mg/dL; p > 0.05). Whole blood iMg2+ may be a more sensitive measure of acute oral intake of magnesium compared to serum and urinary magnesium and may be preferred for assessing supplement bioavailability.
Chemoimmunotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone in IgM paraproteinemic neuropathy: evidence of sustained improvement in electrophysiological, serological and functional outcomes

There is ongoing debate as to the optimum treatment for IgM paraproteinemic neuropathy (PPN), with no treatment yet shown objectively to alter the long-term natural history of slow neurological decline. We present a case series of 25 patients with IgM PPN treated between August 2010 and October 2016 with standard R-CP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone) chemoimmunotherapy. This is the first report of detailed 2-year serological, neurological and neurophysiological outcome data in patients treated prospectively with this regimen. The treatment was well tolerated and produced significant improvement for at least 2 years in several neurological, electrophysiological and serological outcomes. Peripheral neuropathy is a well-recognized complication of IgM paraproteinemia, and occurs both in those with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and in patients with an underlying lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD). Recent guidelines suggest that patients with renal or neurological complications of paraproteinemia should be reclassified as having MGCS (monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance) to reflect the fact that they may merit treatment. In 50-60% of cases, the M protein shows reactivity to a neural antigen known as myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG). There is accumulating evidence that the antiCD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, benefits a proportion of patients with IgM paraproteinemic neuropathy. However, there is insufficient evidence to assess the efficacy of rituximab alone compared with its use as part of a combined chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) regimen. International guidelines recommend that in patients with progressive disability due to anti-MAG neuropathy, immunosuppressive treatment should be considered as an alternative to rituximab monotherapy. A retrospective analysis of 45 PPN patients treated with a variety of treatment protocols also suggests a role for CIT. Finally, a recent demonstration of a high prevalence of mutated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88), which is strongly associated with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM), in patients with anti-MAG neuropathy supports the use of treatment regimens effective in WM. Here we report a large prospective case series of patients with progressive disability due to confirmed IgM paraproteinamic neuropathy treated with standard R-CP chemoimmunotherapy. R-CP is standard R-CVP, minus
Three-Dimensional (3D) Printed Silver Nanoparticles/Alginate/Nanocrystalline Cellulose Hydrogels: Study of the Antimicrobial and Cytotoxicity Efficacy

Here, a formulation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and two natural polymers such as alginate (ALG) and nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) was developed for the 3D printing of scaffolds with large surface area, improved mechanical resistance and sustained capabilities to promote antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects. Mechanical resistance, water content, morphological characterization and silver distribution of the scaffolds were provided. As for applications, a comparable antimicrobial potency against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was demonstrated by in vitro tests as function of the AgNP concentration in the scaffold (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration value: 10 mg/mL). By reusing the 3D system the antimicrobial efficacy was demonstrated over at least three applications. The cytotoxicity effects caused by administration of AgNPs to hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell culture through ALG and ALG/CNC scaffold were discussed as a function of time and dose. Finally, the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique was used for targeted analysis of pro-apoptotic initiation and executioner caspases, anti-apoptotic and proliferative proteins and the hepatocyte growth factor, and provided insights about molecular mechanisms involved in cell death induction.
Value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and red blood cell distribution width in distinguishing between reactive lymphadenopathy and lymphoma in children.

OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in children with lymphadenopathy (LAP). METHODS Between January, 2009 and December, 2018, 190 children who underwent excisional lymph node biopsy due to enlarged lymph nodes were included. The clinical and laboratory features of pediatric patients with lymph node enlargement, histopathological examination of the lymph node, and the role of complete blood count parameters in the differentiation of reactive and malignant LAP were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS In total, 139 (73.2 %) children had pathologically confirmed reactive LAP and 51 (26.8 %) were diagnosed with lymphoma. Compared with the reactive LAP group, median values for NLR, MLR, PLR, and RDW were significantly higher in children with lymphoma (p < 0.01). According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis performed for distinguishing between reactive LAP and lymphomas, the area under curves of NLR, MLR, PLR, and RDW were 0.75, 0.76, 0.71, and 0.61, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Children with histologically proven lymphoma have higher NLR, MLR, PLR, and RDW values than children with reactive LAP. NLR, MLR, PLR, and RDW tests, which can be performed even in primary health care centers, may be useful markers to determine which patients with LAP should be referred to the advanced center at an early stage for biopsy (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 26).