Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unmanned Surface Vehicle Heading and Speed Control Method Based on Model Predictive Control

In order to improve the accuracy and robustness of Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) heading and speed control in outdoor lake environment, a heading and speed control method based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) has been proposed. First, a heading prediction model and a speed prediction model have been established according to the nonlinear kinematic model of the USV; then, the MPC algorithm has been applied to the USV heading and speed control problem, and the heading and speed controller have been designed according to the objective function and constraints defined by the heading and speed errors; finally, we have conducted a heading tracking experiment with the USV under actual lake environment. The results show that compared with the PID control method, the MPC control method reduces the heading angle overshoot by about 33.41%, increases the average speed by about 4.4%, and reduces the energy consumption by about 24.43%.
Optical multiplexing techniques and their marriage for on-chip and optical fiber communication: a review

Herein, an attention-grabbing and up-to-date review related to major multiplexing techniques is presented which includes wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), polarization division multiplexing (PDM), space division multiplexing (SDM), mode division multiplexing (MDM) and orbital angular momentum multiplexing (OAMM). Multiplexing is a mechanism by which multiple signals are combined into a shared channel used to showcase the maximum capacity of the optical links. However, it is critical to develop hybrid multiplexing methods to allow enhanced channel numbers. In this review, we have also included hybrid multiplexing techniques such as WDM-PDM, WDM-MDM and PDM-MDM. It is probable to attain N × M channels by utilizing N wavelengths and M guided-modes by simply utilizing hybrid WDM-MDM (de)multiplexers. To the best of our knowledge, this review paper is one of its kind which has highlighted the most prominent and recent signs of progress in multiplexing techniques in one place.
A Novel Method for Embedding and Extracting Secret Messages in Textual Documents based on Paragraph Resizing

: The ancient technique of information hiding known as text steganography has enjoyed much research in recent years due to the rising popularity of social media platforms and the abundant availability of online literature and other text as cover media for steganography. Whilst the majority of the research approaches have focused on manipulating or replacing text, in some form or another, to embed secret information, the utilisation of the structure of the document itself for such embedding has rarely been researched. Therefore, we propose in this short paper a new approach for embedding secret messages in textual documents based on the splitting, merging, and resizing of paragraph text. The size comparison between adjacent paragraphs embeds one bit of information. We outline only the basic idea and define the syntax and semantics of the embedding language.
#Activism: Investor Reactions to Corporate Sociopolitical Activism

Corporations, which in the past have been hesitant to contribute to conversations regarding political and social issues, are increasingly speaking out on current issues such as race, sexual orientation, gender, immigration, and environmental issues. Despite this trend, limited academic research has focused on how corporate sociopolitical activism (CSA) efforts impact firm value. In addition, extant studies have not fully identified the extent to which the firm and their message influence the outcomes of this approach. The current study explores how sociopolitical stances communicated on Twitter affect firms’ stock prices. Results from an event study of 260 incidents of CSA show that CSA efforts decrease firm value by an average of 0.22%, indicating that wading into social or political issues is a risky strategy. However, further analysis highlights the importance of clearly articulating stances on social issues that align with the firm’s core values.
Association between Peripheral Inflammatory Cytokines and Cognitive Function in Patients with First-Episode Schizophrenia

In this study, we investigated the impact of inflammatory cytokines on the cognitive performance of patients with schizophrenia. The included patients met the criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorder and were aged between 15 and 40 years, with a duration of illness ≤1 year. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; interferon-γ; and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 levels were measured. A computerized neurocognitive battery, measures for social cognitive function, and clinical measures were administered. A total of 174 patients with first-episode psychosis were enrolled. The TNF-α level was negatively correlated with scores on the digit span, verbal learning, and Wisconsin card sorting tests, and the number of correct responses on the continuous performance test (CR-CPT), whereas a positive correlation was detected with the trail making test (TMT)-B time. The interferon-γ level was negatively correlated with performance on the false belief and visual learning tests. The IL-1β level was positively correlated with the TMT-A time and CPT reaction time, whereas it was negatively correlated with the CR-CPT and performance on the visual learning and social cognitive tests. The IL-12 level was negatively correlated with the CR-CPT and false belief test. Our results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines are associated with cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia.
The Integration of Technical Subjects in Civil Technology Curriculum with Special Reference to Further Education and Training(FET) Technical Schools

Abstract This study aimed at investigating the extent to which Civil Technology Teachers understand and implement Curriculum. The research used qualitative and quantitative methodology to collect data, questionnaires and interviews were used as instruments to collect data. The sample of the study consisted of 21 Civil Technology teachers from 18 Technical schools from 5 education districts in the Free State. Teachers revealed that majority of respondents indicated that Department of Education (DoE) failed to offer formal training on the new Civil Technology Curriculum, but received one week workshops. They regarded Civil Technology as a subject developed for high level of knowledge and skills. Teachers recommended that the Department of Education should provide a full training course on the new understanding and implementation of Civil Technology Curriculum in Free State Schools in South Africa.
Breakthrough potential of emerging research topics based on citation diffusion features

This article uses the characteristics of citation curves in emerging research topics (ERTs) and combines them with the ERTs’ knowledge bases to draw conclusions by comparing their development patterns. The goal of this study is to enrich the toolset for predicting breakthroughs in scientific research. A set of multidimensional and practical bibliometric indicators is used to identify ERTs, to further identify the knowledge bases of ERTs and construct citation curves for both ERTs and their knowledge bases. The development trends of the citation curves of ERTs and their knowledge bases in different time periods are compared and analysed from two dimensions: knowledge transition and continuous growth. We use the field of stem cell research to test our method. Based on the outcome of the analysis, we can assess the breakthrough potential of ERTs. The stratification, transition and recent changes of the citation curve can be used as a basis for analysing and assessing the ERTs’ breakthrough potential. The combination of different citation diffusion patterns of ERTs and their knowledge bases can improve the effectiveness of identifying ERTs that can become breakthrough innovations.
Oral Contraceptive and Glioma Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study and Meta-Analysis

Background Epidemiological evidence that glioma has a slight male predominance implies that factors associated with sex hormones may play a role in the development of glioma. The association between oral contraceptive (OC) use and glioma risk remains controversial. Method In the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial of 70,516 women in the USA, Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were adopted to calculate the crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additionally, a meta-analysis combining the PLCO findings with those of other prospective cohorts was performed. Results During a mean follow-up of ~11.7 years, 110 of 70,516 women aged 50–78 years at baseline were diagnosed with glioma in PLCO studies. Compared with never users, an inverse association of borderline significance was found for OC users (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.44–1.04, P = 0.074). Analyses assessing glioma risk according to the duration of OC use yielded no significant association. When PLCO was combined with four other prospective studies, there was an inverse association between OC use and glioma risk (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.97, I2 = 0.0%). Further dose-response analysis showed a nonlinear, inverse relationship between OC use and glioma risk (P < 0.001). Conclusions This study provided some evidence of a nonlinear, inverse association between OC use and glioma risk. Future larger studies are warranted to validate this finding.
Optimization of procedural factors for advanced xylanase synthesis by Lysinibacillus fusiformis using Kolanut husk as substrate

Xylan is a complex hetero-polysaccharide consisting of different monosaccharides held together by glycosidic and ester bonds. Extracellular xylanase fashioned by numerous microbes principally from bacterial species such as Bacillus species are responsible for cleaving the glycosidic linkages. Microbial xylanases exhibit different substrate specificities and biochemical peculiarities. This study was carried out for optimization of cultivation conditions for xylanase production using the bacterium Lysinibacillus fusiformis and Kolanut husk as a component of cultivation medium. The bacterium was isolated from Kolanut plantation waste soil and screened for the production of xylanase qualitatively on xylan nutrient agar and quantitatively under submerged fermentation. The different conditions optimized included substrate concentration, additional sugars, incubation period, temperature, initial pH, nitrogen supplementation and inoculum mass through one factor at a time approach. Maximum xylanase production was obtained at substrate concentration of (1 % xylan and 1.5 % Kolanut husk), nitrogen source (yeast extract plus peptone), carbon source (sucrose), incubation period (24 h), pH (5.0), temperature (35 oC) and inoculum size (1 %). Lysinibacillus fusiformis has been proven to be a promising bacterium for xylanase production using Kolanut husk as substrate. The use of Kolanut husk as foremost carbon source is predominantly precious as being an agricultural waste, affordable, and locally available compared to expensive commercially sold xylan.
Increasing robustness, compactness and cost-effectiveness of edge-illumination X-ray phase contrast imaging as a key step towards translation into real-world applications

Novel laboratory implementations of the Edge Illumination X-Ray Phase Contrast imaging (EI-XPCi) method were presented in this thesis, with the aim of facilitating its commercial translation. A portable system, based on compact piezoelectric motors, was developed to enable the easy transportation of the setup. Tests on the system positioning accuracy were presented, and images of standard samples were benchmarked against those obtained with the existing prototype based on stepper motors. An alternative EI implementation, which simultaneously allows the use of cheaper X-ray sources and the realisation of more compact setups, was also presented. An additional ``source mask'' introduced in a standard EI setup allows to section the large focal spot of a conventional tube into multiple sub-sources, creating a corresponding number of spatially shifted images, which need to be disentangled through dedicated algorithms. A proof-of-principle experiment provided results in agreement with simulated predictions, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach. A quantitative study on the dependence of the angular sensitivity on the source-to-detector distance (at constant system magnification, tube settings and total exposure time) was also presented. Results of a simulation based on the assumption of Poisson-distributed noise in the images (valid for photon counting detectors) were compared with experimental ones obtained by using an integrating detector. The observed discrepancies were successfully related to the additional noise sources present in an integrating detector, thus indirectly validating the simulation model. The adaptation of EI with a laser-plasma source was investigated through a proof-of-concept experiment, with the aim of realizing a system providing a synchrotron-like performance with a more compact and accessible setup. Non-ideal experimental conditions affecting the system performance were discussed, while the results of the source characterization were used to establish some basic requirements that must be satisfied to successfully implement EI with these ``new generation'' X-ray sources.
What your Fitbit Says about You: De-anonymizing Users in Lifelogging Datasets

: Recently, there has been a significant surge of lifelogging experiments, where the activity of few participants is monitored for a number of days through fitness trackers. Data from such experiments can be aggregated in datasets and released to the research community. To protect the privacy of the participants, fitness datasets are typically anonymized by removing personal identifiers such as names, e-mail addresses, etc. However, although seemingly correct, such straightforward approaches are not sufficient. In this paper we demonstrate how an adversary can still de-anonymize individuals in lifelogging datasets. We show that users’ privacy can be compromised by two approaches: (i) through the inference of physical parameters such as gender, height, and weight; and/or (ii) via the daily routine of participants. Both methods rely solely on fitness data such as steps, burned calories, and covered distance to obtain insights on the users in the dataset. We train several inference models, and leverage them to de-anonymize users in public lifelogging datasets. Between our two approaches we achieve 93 . 5% re-identification rate of participants. Furthermore, we reach 100% success rate for people with highly distinct physical attributes (e.g., very tall, overweight, etc.).
Pain and frailty among community-dwelling older people in Hong Kong

Introduction. Pain and frailty are common geriatric syndromes and can lead to adverse health outcomes. This study aims to examine the association between pain and frailty in community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong and to suggest a patient-centred intervention for frail older people with pain. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years were invited to attend a health check programme. Characteristics of pain were recorded, including the presence of pain, the total number of pain sites, the highest pain intensity, and the frequency of pain. The 5-item FRAIL scale was used to screen frailty. The Lawton instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) scale was used to assess independence. Handgrip strength of the dominant hand and walking speed for 6 meters were measured. Results: Of 445 older adults who attended the health check programme, 265 women and 64 men (mean age, 75 years) agreed to participate and were included for analysis. Of them, 123 (37.4%) reported persistent pain, 116 (35.5%) reported sporadic pain, and 90 (27.4%) reported no pain. Participants were classified as frail (n=47, 14.3%), prefrail (n=200, 60.8%), or robust (n=82, 24.9%). Comparing the combined frail and prefrail group with the robust group, frailty was independently associated with age (odds ratios [OR]=1.053, p=0.007), Lawton IADL (OR=0.602, p=0.004), and sporadic pain (OR=2.072, p=0.031), after adjusting for walking speed and handgrip strength. Conclusion: The prevalence of frailty is high among community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Age, IADL, and sporadic pain are independently associated with frailty; only pain is amenable. Pain management may help prevent progression to frailty in older people.
PEDF Deletion Induces Senescence and Defects in Phagocytosis in the RPE

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) expresses the Serpinf1 gene to produce pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a retinoprotective protein that is downregulated with cell senescence, aging and retinal degenerations. We determined the expression of senescence-associated genes in the RPE of 3-month-old mice that lack the Serpinf1 gene and found that Serpinf1 deletion induced H2ax for histone H2AX protein, Cdkn1a for p21 protein, and Glb1 gene for β-galactosidase. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity increased in the Serpinf1 null RPE when compared with wild-type RPE. We evaluated the subcellular morphology of the RPE and found that ablation of Serpinf1 increased the volume of the nuclei and the nucleoli number of RPE cells, implying chromatin reorganization. Given that the RPE phagocytic function declines with aging, we assessed the expression of the Pnpla2 gene, which is required for the degradation of photoreceptor outer segments by the RPE. We found that both the Pnpla2 gene and its protein PEDF-R declined with the Serpinf1 gene ablation. Moreover, we determined the levels of phagocytosed rhodopsin and lipids in the RPE of the Serpinf1 null mice. The RPE of the Serpinf1 null mice accumulated rhodopsin and lipids compared to littermate controls, implying an association of PEDF deficiency with RPE phagocytosis dysfunction. Our findings establish PEDF loss as a cause of senescence-like changes in the RPE, highlighting PEDF as both a retinoprotective and a regulatory protein of aging-like changes associated with defective degradation of the photoreceptor outer segment in the RPE.
Feeding in the Devonian antiarch placoderm fishes: a study based upon morphofunctional analysis of jaws

Abstract. Antiarch placoderm fishes were an abundant component of the Middle Paleozoic vertebrate assemblages. Despite a large number of known taxa and specimens, the morphology and function of the skeletal elements of their jaws is inadequately known. Because of this, questions regarding their feeding modes and their roles in the trophic webs remain open. We present a skeletomuscular model of the antiarch jaw apparatus with an attempt to reconstruct its potential biomechanical function. The position of the upper jaw suborbital bones within the plane of the ventral side of the fish armor is suggested to represent the natural “mouth closed” position. During mouth opening, the suborbitals rotated rostrally with simultaneous depression and inward rotation of the infragnathals. The ball-and-socket jaw articulation might ensure this combined movement. Recently described lower jaw elements of Livnolepis zadonica (Obrucheva, 1983) and Bothriolepis sp. from the Upper Devonian (lower Famennian) of Central Russia demonstrating very deep and porous blades of the oral division of the infragnathals queried the structure of these bones in other antiarchs. Observed porosity reflects intense vascularization to supply blood to a connective tissue underlying a supposed keratinous sheath, which protected and strengthened the jaws, as well as made possible scraping tough food objects, such as thallus algae, from the substrate. Having evolved during the Silurian in the Pan-Cathaysian zoogeographical province, antiarchs migrated to Gondwana during the Emsian and later to Euramerica during the Eifelian. Supposedly, antiarchs became the first macrophytophagous vertebrates occupying the trophic level of primary consumers during the late Silurian–Early Devonian. This event diversified the only previously existing predator–prey interrelationships between filter-feeding agnathans and predatory gnathostomes.
Microphysical characteristics of precipitating stratiform clouds in north China revealed by joint observations of an aircraft and a polarimetric radar

Microphysical structures and processes in a case of precipitating stratiform cloud in north China on 21 May 2018, are investigated using joint observations from an aircraft and an X-band polarimetric radar. The results show that there are enhancements in differential reflectivity (ZDR) and specific differential phase (KDP) above the 7-km altitude, consistent with the existence of dendrites and plate-like ice crystals. The horizontal reflectivity factor (ZH) increases and ZDR decreases downwards above the melting layer (ML), due to the prevalent aggregation process, which is confirmed by the downwards increasing volume-weighted mean diameter (Dm) and decreasing total number concentration (Nt) observed by the aircraft. Within the ML, the concentration of median-sized particles (2 ~ 5 mm) decreases rapidly downwards due to the melting process. Within approximately the top 2/3 of the ML, the melting particles’ mean and maximum sizes increase, demonstrating the dominance of the aggregation process. This causes the enhancements of ZH and ZDR within the radar bright band together with the increase in the dielectric constant. Within the bottom 1/3 of the ML, the breakup process is responsible for the decreasing Dm and increasing Nt observed by the aircraft. Below the ML, the measurements by the polarimetric radar and the aircraft only show slight variance with altitude, indicating the near balance between microphysical processes favored by the nearly saturated air. The results of the microphysics in the stratiform case would help improve the microphysical parameterization of numerical modeling in the future.
RoSELS: Road Surface Extraction for 3D Automotive LiDAR Point Cloud Sequence

: Road surface geometry provides information about navigable space in autonomous driving. Ground plane estimation is done on “road” points after semantic segmentation of three-dimensional (3D) automotive LiDAR point clouds as a precursor to this geometry extraction. However, the actual geometry extraction is less explored, as it is expensive to use all “road” points for mesh generation. Thus, we propose a coarser surface approximation using road edge points. The geometry extraction for the entire sequence of a trajectory provides the complete road geometry, from the point of view of the ego-vehicle. Thus, we propose an automated system, RoSELS (Road Surface Extraction for LiDAR point cloud Sequence). Our novel approach involves ground point detection and road geometry classiﬁcation, i.e. frame classiﬁcation , for determining the road edge points. We use appropriate supervised and pre-trained transfer learning models, along with computational geometry algorithms to implement the workﬂow. Our results on SemanticKITTI show that our extracted road surface for the sequence is qualitatively and quantitatively close to the reference trajectory.
Análise do posicionamento dos usuários do Twitter acerca da Vacinação Infantil contra a COVID-19 no Brasil

Com o início da vacinação contra a COVID-19, esta se tornou um assunto bastante debatido nas redes sociais. Porém, a vacinação infantil só veio a ter início cerca de um ano após a vacinação de adultos, o que acabou adiando esse debate específico para o fim de 2021. Este trabalho, portanto, visa analisar o posicionamento, se favorável ou contrário, dos usuários do Twitter no Brasil acerca da aplicação das vacinas nas crianças de 5 a 11 anos. Utilizando técnicas de Análise de Sentimentos, pôde-se perceber que a maior parte dos usuários se mostrou favorável ao início da vacinação no país. Também foram levantados pontos que levaram os usuários a se posicionar daquela forma.