Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Target Localization With Quantized Measurements in Noncoherent Distributed MIMO Radar Systems

In this article, a direct target localization algorithm with quantized measurements for noncoherent multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) systems is proposed. In this system, each receiver transmits a low-bit quantized version of the echo rather than the full raw data to the fusion center. We construct a joint likelihood function based on the low-bit data of each receiver, from which the unknown target position can be directly determined. The Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) is derived to analyze the localization performance of our proposed algorithm. To maximize the localization performance, a CRLB-based objective function is designed to obtain the optimum quantization thresholds. The formulated problem is a high-dimensional and nonconvex optimization problem that, when solved, determines two types of coupled parameters for the quantization thresholds and the complex-valued scaling coefficients of the signal. We propose a batch gradient descent embedded particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve this problem effectively. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm delivers superior performance in terms of maximizing the overall localization performance, and the 3-bit quantized algorithm is able to provide performance that is very close to the unquantized algorithm. Experimental data recorded by three small radars are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
The survival of various interacting particle systems

Particles may be removed from a lattice by murder, coalescence, mutual annihilation and simple death. If the particle system is not to die out, the removed particles must be replaced by births. This letter shows that coalescence can be counteracted by arbitrarily small birth-rates and contrasts this with the situations for annihilation and pure death where there are critical phenomena. The problem is unresolved for murder.
Improving the Accuracy of TOF LiDAR Based on Balanced Detection Method

The ranging accuracy of pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) lidar is affected by walk error and jitter error. To solve the issue, the balanced detection method (BDM) based on fiber delay optic lines (FDOL) is proposed. The experiments are carried out to prove the performance improvement of BDM over the conventional single photodiode method (SPM). The experimental results show that BDM can suppress common mode noise and simultaneously shift the signal to high frequency, which reduces the jitter error by approximately 52.4% and maintains the walk error at less than 300 ps with a non-distorted waveform. The BDM can be further applied to silicon photomultipliers.
Motivated Egalitarianism

Much research has examined the link between (anti-)egalitarian ideology and motivated social cognition. However, this research is typically framed around anti-egalitarianism, with the other end of this ideological pole, egalitarianism, often ignored altogether or treated as merely the absence of anti-egalitarian-motivated cognition. We integrate long-standing ideas from social dominance theory with contemporary models of motivated social cognition and a recent wave of empirical findings to argue that egalitarian ideology also drives social cognition in meaningful ways. We discuss why pursuing this avenue of research is important and outline several unanswered questions for future research.
Control Architectures for Metamaterials in Vibration Control

Metamaterials are artificial structures with properties that are rare or non-existent in nature. These properties are created by the geometry and interconnection of the metamaterial unit cells. In active metamaterials, sensors and actuators are embedded in each unit cell to achieve greater design freedom and tunability of properties after the fabrication. While active metamaterials have been used in vibration control applications, the influence of applied control architectures on damping performance has not been thoroughly studied yet. This paper discusses the relationship between suitable control architectures for increased damping in finite active metamaterials and the number of damped modes. A metamaterial beam consisting of links with measured and actuated joints is considered. Optimal controllers for each of the considered scenarios are designed in the modal domain using linear-quadratic regulator (LQR). We show that, when all modes of a structure should be damped, the optimal solution can be reduced to a decentralised controller. When modes in a smaller range of frequencies are targeted, distributed controllers show better performance. The results are confirmed with experiments.
Health-Promoting Factors and Their Relationships with the Severity of Symptoms in Patients with Anxiety Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental disorders in the modern world. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the onset of many mental disorders in people who did not have them before. It can be suspected that in people who already had anxiety disorders before the pandemic, their quality of life has significantly deteriorated. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between life satisfaction, acceptance of illness, the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms and health behaviors in a group of patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: The study was conducted in the period from March 2020 to March 2022. There were 70 people among the respondents, including 44 women aged 44.06 ± 14.89 years and 26 men aged 40.84 ± 16.72 years. All persons were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Patients with other co-occurring disorders were excluded, i.e., depression and signs of organic damage to the central nervous system, as were those with cognitive disorders that prevented the completion of the questionnaires. The following scales were used in the study: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and the Mann–Whitney U test were used for statistical analyses. Results: In the Satisfaction in Life questionnaire, the respondents obtained an average score of 17.59 ± 5.74 points. In the AIS scale, the mean score obtained by the patients was 27.10 ± 9.65 points. In the overall Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), the average score was 79.52 ± 15.24 points. In the HADS questionnaire, probants obtained an average of 8.17 ± 4.37 points in the depression subscale and 11.55 ± 4.46 points in the anxiety subscale. In addition, there were significant negative correlations between life satisfaction (SWLS) and the severity of anxiety and depression (HADS). The lower the perceived quality of life, the significantly higher the anxiety and depressive disorders. The result obtained in the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) as well as in the subscale of Prohealth Activities (PHA) was negatively associated with the severity of anxiety symptoms. Prohealth activities should therefore be developed to prevent anxiety disorders, as well as to promote positive mental attitudes. In the study, the average result obtained in the subscale of positive mental attitudes correlated negatively with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Life during the pandemic was assessed by patients as unsatisfactory. Health-promoting behaviors, and especially positive mental attitudes, may play a protective role in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms in a situation of increased stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of patients with anxiety disorders.
Bioprospective Role of Ocimum sanctum and Solanum xanthocarpum against Emerging Pathogen: Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis: A Review

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a chronic, contagious, and typically life-threatening enteric disease of ruminants caused by a bacterium of the genus Mycobacterium, but it can also affect non-ruminant animals. MAP transmission occurs through the fecal–oral pathway in neonates and young animals. After infection, animals generate IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, resulting in a Th2 response. Early detection of the disease is necessary to avoid its spread. Many detection methods, viz., staining, culture, and molecular methods, are available, and numerous vaccines and anti-tuberculosis drugs are used to control the disease. However, the prolonged use of anti-tuberculosis drugs leads to the development of resistance. Whereas vaccines hamper the differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals in an endemic herd. This leads to the identification of plant-based bioactive compounds to treat the disease. Bioactive compounds of Ocimum sanctum and Solanum xanthocarpum have been evaluated for their anti-MAP activity. Based on the MIC50 values, Ursolic acid (12 µg/mL) and Solasodine (60 µg/mL) were found to be suitable for anti-MAP activity.
Construction of 2D/2D g-C_3N_4@Bi_m+1Fe_m-3Ti_3O_3m+3 (m = 4, 5, 6) S-scheme heterojunctions for efficient photocatalytic tetracycline degradation

Aurivillius phases with narrow band gaps have attracted extensive interest in the field of photocatalysis, however, they exhibit poor activity due to the low utilization of photogenerated carriers. Herein, a series of S-scheme C3N4@Bi_m+1Fe_m-3Ti_3O_3m+3 (m = 4, 5, 6) heterojunctions with two-dimensional structures were synthesized by simple two-step method. Compared with single materials, the composites exhibit excellent photocatalytic tetracycline degradation under visible light, and 91.8% of tetracycline can be degraded accompanied with 81.2% of TOC removal within 120 min over C_3N_4@Bi_5FeTi_3O_15. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is due to strong interface interaction, high conductivity, and efficient charge separation ability. The mechanism analysis indicates that the C_3N_4@Bi_5FeTi_3O_15 heterojunction follows an S-scheme heterojunction mechanism with a strong interfacial internal electric field directed from C_3N_4 to Bi_5FeTi_3O_15, thus, the photogenerated electrons in Bi_5FeTi_3O_15 move toward C_3N_4, which retains high oxidation ability of Bi_5FeTi_3O_15 and high reduction ability of C_3N_4 to efficiently produce the reactive species, such as O_2^−· and ·OH. Graphical Abstract
Approximate Projected Generalized Gradient Methods with Sparsity-inducing Penalties

Projected gradient (or subgradient) methods are simple and typical approaches to minimize a convex function with constraints. In the area of sparse recovery, however, plenty research results reveal that non-convex penalties induce better sparsity than convex ones. In this paper, the idea of projected subgradient methods is extended to minimize a class of sparsity-inducing penalties with linear constraints, and these penalties are not necessarily convex. To make the algorithm computationally tractable for large scale problems, a uniform approximate projection is applied in the projection step. The theoretical convergence analysis of the proposed method, approximate projected generalized gradient (APGG) method, is provided in the noisy scenario. The result reveals that if the initial solution satisfies some certain requirements, the bound of the recovery error is linear in both the noise term and the step size of APGG. In addition, the parameter selection rules and the initial criteria are analyzed. If the approximate least squares solution is adopted as the initial one, the result reveals how non-convex the penalty could be to guarantee convergence to the global optimal solution. Numerical simulations are performed to test the performance of the proposed method and verify the theoretical analysis. Contributions of this paper are compared with some existing results in the end.
Enclosure Background Preferences Differ between Sexes and Color Morphs in the Gouldian Finch

Simple Summary Most animals blend well into their natural environment, which protects them from predators. However, in captive environments, animals are often exposed, which can lead to stress. Research suggests that animals are more difficult to detect in complex environments. We tested background preferences in the Gouldian finch, which occurs in two main head color morphs in the wild. Birds were tested in groups of four in either the same head color (black or red) or mixed head color (two black and two red) pairings. One half of the cage had a simple background pattern, the other a complex background pattern. We measured the time spent in front of each background after 10 days in the cage (phase 1), after which backgrounds were swapped (left to right), and assessed preferences again on day 17 (phase 2). Birds preferred the simple background, particularly in phase 1. However, females initially chose the simple background but used both backgrounds in phase 2, whereas changes in males were not significant. Both color morphs preferred the simple background in phase 1, with the black-headed birds moving to the complex background in phase 2. Results indicate that background preferences differ among individuals, which should be considered when designing enclosures. Abstract Most wild animals camouflage well into their environment, providing protection from predators, whereas captive animals often contrast with their background. This can cause stress for the animal, which may perceive it as being exposed. Theory suggests that prey is more difficult to detect in front of complex backgrounds; hence, animals should prefer complex over simple backgrounds. We tested this in the polymorphic Gouldian finch by providing a complex background pattern in one half of the flight cage and a simple background pattern in the other half for 10 days (phase 1). Patterns were then swapped and presented for another week (phase 2). Groups of four birds consisting of either pure black-headed or red-headed or mixed head color (two black-headed and two red-headed) pairings were tested. Gouldian finches spent significantly more time in front of the simple background in phase 1 but not in phase 2. Specifically, females preferred the simple background in phase 1 significantly more than males. Moreover, red-headed birds consistently perched in front of the simple background, whereas black-headed birds used both backgrounds, particularly in phase 2. Results indicate that background preferences differ between sexes and morphs, which should be considered when designing backgrounds. Moreover, natural habitat preferences need consideration.
On Hilbert C∗-module-valued Random Variables

In this paper random variables that take their values from a Hilbert C∗-module are defined and three definitions for the mean, covariance operator, and Gaussian distribution of these random variables are given and it is shown that these definitions are equivalent. Furthermore, the concept of covariance of two real valued random variables and its properties are extended to two Hilbert C∗-module valued random variables. These lead us to the generalization of Rao-Blackwell theorem for this type of random variables. Finally, in a special case, it is proved that the finiteness of second moment of the norm of such a random variable is a sufficient condition for the central limit theorem to be true.
Diode Laser Therapy for Radiation-Induced Vascular Ectasia: Long-Term Results and Cost Analysis

Background: Collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissues has been reported in patients who undergo radiation therapy for pelvic malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and cost efficiency of endoscopic diode laser therapy in patients diagnosed with chronic radiation proctitis (CRP). Methods: The data of 24 patients (median age 78, range 67–90 years) who presented rectal bleeding and were diagnosed with CRP after undergoing high-dose radiotherapy for prostatic cancer and underwent diode laser therapy were evaluated retrospectively. Non-contact fibers were used in the patients who underwent the procedure without sedation in an outpatient setting. Results: The patients underwent a median of two sessions; overall, a mean of 1591 J of laser energy per session was used. No complications were noted during or after the procedures. Bleeding was completely resolved in 21/24 (88%) patients, and two patients showed improvement (96%). It was not necessary to suspend antiplatelet (six patients) or anticoagulant (four patients) therapy during the treatment course. The mean cost per session was EUR 473.4. Conclusions: The study findings demonstrated that endoscopic non-contact diode laser treatment in CRP patients is safe, effective and cost efficient. For this procedure, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy suspension, intraprocedural sedation and hospital admission are not required.
Determining the Dynamic Characteristics of Moving Vehicles Using Image Blur Analysis

A method to recognize vehicles on an image and to determine their dynamic characteristics is considered. Control of timely determined characteristics will allow detecting violations of vehicles, including excessive vehicle weight, which leads to increased wear and damage to the roadway. For object detection the convolutional neural network is used. Hough and Canny detectors are used to determine object boundaries and wheel axles. The used vehicle model with two axles in detail is described. After detecting and determining the number of wheel axles of the vehicle, a model of vertical oscillations of the vehicle is selected by the passive method of image analysis, and based on the obtained geometric and kinematic parameters, the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle are determined.
Analyzing the Impact of Die Positions inside the Power Module on the Reliability of Solder Layers for Different Power Cycling Scenarios

Solder layers, used as bonding material inside the power module to attach the semiconductor die on Direct Bond Copper (DBC) substrate and DBC substrate on baseplate, are one of the regions most prone to failure. The failure usually occurs in the form of solder cracks and depends on various operating conditions, such as-maximum temperature, temperature swing, and heating time. The cracks generated inside the solder layers can eventually result in its delamination. Power modules are usually power cycled to estimate the failure sites and mechanisms. However, the failure mechanisms can vary depending on the frequency, amplitude, and range of the temperature in the Power Cycling Tests (PCT). In this study, we have used the Finite Element Method (FEM) in COMSOL Multiphysics to analyse the impact of the PCT on both die attach, and baseplate attach solder layers. Additionally, the effect of the degree of asymmetry in the die position on the reliability of both the solder layers are analysed. The FEA (Finite Element Analysis) results are analysed to have a better understanding about the aspects impacting the lifetime of the power module.
Cactus Pear Silage to Mitigate the Effects of an Intermittent Water Supply for Feedlot Lambs: Intake, Digestibility, Water Balance and Growth Performance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, water balance and growth performance of lambs receiving diets containing cactus silage under an intermittent water supply. Thirty-six male, uncastrated Santa Inês lambs with an initial weight of 19.8 ± 2.1 kg and age of 6 months were distributed in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, with three proportions of cactus pear in the diets (0 (control diet containing Tifton hay), 21% and 42% of dry matter) and three periods of intermittent water supply (0, 24 and 48 h), with four repetitions. Lambs that received diets non-isonitrogenous with cactus silage showed higher intakes of dry matter (p < 0.001), total digestible nutrients (p < 0.001), water excretion via faeces (p < 0.001) and water balance (p < 0.001). Lambs that received diets with cactus silage showed higher digestibility of total carbohydrates, non-fibre carbohydrates (p = 0.005), water intake via food (p < 0.001), total water intake (p < 0.001), water excretion via urine (p < 0.001) and water balance (p < 0.05), when compared to the control diet. Lambs that received diets with cactus silage promoted growth performance (p = 0.001). When using 42% forage cactus silage in place of Tifton hay and water offered at 48 h intervals, intake, digestibility, and performance of feedlot lambs were improved.
The dialectics of leadership identity construction: Case studies from Indigenous women leaders

Challenging oversimplified models, the leader identity literature calls for new perspectives of leadership identity construction (LIC). Using a collective leadership lens and narrative methods, this collaborative study explores how Indigenous women’s leadership identities develop within a contest for power and voice. Observations, interviews, and micro-ethnographies helped identify how history, community dynamics and cultural contradictions influence LIC. We find the LIC process to unfold as a dialectical spiral, informed by contradictions experienced when enacting social identities in various spheres of influence. This highlights the intersectionality of salient identities when theorizing LIC, and suggests that minoritized leaders can resignify and ultimately, capitalize on their multiple identities to strengthen their leadership.
Incidence and Persistence of Psychotic Experiences in the General Population: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background and Hypothesis Psychotic experiences (PEs) are associated with increased risk for mental disorders, in particular persistent PEs. PEs therefore might be useful within intervention research. We sought to systematically determine the incidence and persistence of PEs in the general population. Study Design A double-blind search of databases (Embase, Pubmed PMC, Psychinfo, Medline, and Web of Science) from inception to January 2023 and data extraction, were conducted. Study quality was assessed using the NIH assessment tool. Random effects models were conducted to calculate pooled incidence rate per person-year and proportion of persistent PEs per year. Age and study design were all examined using subgroup analyses. Demographic, risk factors, and outcomes for incidence and persistence of PEs were reported in a narrative synthesis. Study Results Using a double-blind screening method for abstract (k = 5763) and full text (k = 250) were screened. In total 91 samples from 71 studies were included, of which 39 were included in a meta-analysis (incidence: k = 17, n = 56 089; persistence: k = 22, n = 81 847). Incidence rate was 0.023 per person-year (95% CI [0.0129;0.0322]). That is, for every 100 people, 2 reported first onset PEs in a year. This was highest in adolescence at 5 per 100(13–17 years). The pooled persistence rate for PEs was 31.0% (95% CI [26.65,35.35]) This was highest in adolescence at 35.8%. Cannabis was particularly associated with incidence of PEs, and persistence of PEs were associated with multiple mental disorders. Conclusions Each year incidence of PEs is 2 of every 100 people, and persists each year in 31% of cases, this risk is highest in adolescents.