Distinct Paths Research Articles

Review of Research Status of Autonomous Mobile Robot Environment Recognition and Path Planning Algorithms

The convergence of Industry 4.0 and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic amplify the growth prospects and market reach of autonomous mobile robots. This paper elucidates the current research landscape and forward-looking trajectory concerning perception systems for autonomous mobile robots. It advocates a future-oriented development path grounded in the utilization of vision sensors and multi-sensor configurations to enhance environmental recognition. Addressing the imperative of bolstering environmental discernment in intricate settings remains a priority. An emerging area of interest pertains to terrain prediction algorithms. The ensuing section deliberates upon the merits and demerits intrinsic to distinct robot path planning algorithms. These algorithms can be categorized into global path planning algorithms, entrusted with charting optimal overarching courses, and local path planning algorithms, designed to navigate impediments and effect localized route refinements. Envisioning the future, the maturation of robot path planning algorithms is poised to embrace multi-algorithm collaborative applications.

Hydrogen and oxygen isotope signal transmission in rainfall, soil water, and cave drip water in Liangfeng Cave, Southwest China

δD and δ18O isotope signatures were widely used as tracers to investigate recharge processes of rainfall transfer into caves in the vadose zones of karst regions. The present research systematically monitored rainfall, soil water, and drip water at the Liangfeng Cave in Guilin City, China, from January 2020 to September 2022, as these aspects remain poorly quantified. The δD and δ18O compositions of rainfall were depleted during the rainy season and enriched during the dry season. The local meteoric water line (LMWL) was described as δD = 7.98δ18O + 11.52. The dry season is mainly characterized by resident soil water, with little mobile soil water, whereas the primary source of recharged drip water is stored bedrock water on the top of the cave. During the rainy season, resident and mobile soil water exchanged with each other, resulting in homogenous δD and δ18O compositions across different soil depths and indicating a lack of ecohydrological separation; however, δD and δ18O signature in drip water may differ from the original observed in rainfall, suggesting that the residence time affected the response time of the drip water to rain. Moreover, mixed stored older water in the overlying bedrock was the primary drip water recharge source each season; thus, drip water's isotope amplitude values were more depleted than rainfall's. Distinct flow paths also created differences in the lag time and amplitude at each drip site. During high-intensity rain, the isotopic signals were rapidly transmitted by preferential flow at different soil depths and via drip water. The δD and δ18O signals in the drip water showed significant depleted excursions several months after high-intensity rainfall. These findings indicate that ecohydrological separation did not occur under any circumstances within the study area, and care should be taken when interpreting significant depleted excursions of δD and δ18O signals in drip water during the summer monsoon or the amount of rainfall in stalagmites across seasonal or interannual scales.

Fitness Costs of Antibiotic Resistance Impede the Evolution of Resistance to Other Antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health, claiming the lives of millions every year. With a nearly dry antibiotic development pipeline, novel strategies are urgently needed to combat resistant pathogens. One emerging strategy is the use of sequential antibiotic therapy, postulated to reduce the rate at which antibiotic resistance evolves. Here, we use the soft agar gradient evolution (SAGE) system to carry out high-throughput in vitro bacterial evolution against antibiotic pressure. We find that evolution of resistance to the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CHL) severely affects bacterial fitness, slowing the rate at which resistance to the antibiotics nitrofurantoin and streptomycin emerges. In vitro acquisition of compensatory mutations in the CHL-resistant cells markedly improves fitness and nitrofurantoin adaptation rates but fails to restore rates to wild-type levels against streptomycin. Genome sequencing reveals distinct evolutionary paths to resistance in fitness-impaired populations, suggesting resistance trade-offs in favor of mitigation of fitness costs. We show that the speed of bacterial fronts in SAGE plates is a reliable indicator of adaptation rates and evolutionary trajectories to resistance. Identification of antibiotics whose mutational resistance mechanisms confer stable impairments may help clinicians prescribe sequential antibiotic therapies that are less prone to resistance evolution.

Discharge behavior of spherical and rock chip mucks by screw conveyors in TBM: Physical model experiments and DEM simulations

The discharge of muck through a screw conveyor system plays a crucial role in ensuring safe and cost-effective tunneling with earth pressure balance tunnel boring machines (EPB-TBM). However, the discharge mechanism of chip-type rocky mucks through a screw conveyor has not been well examined. Therefore, this study investigates the discharge behavior of rock chips through a screw conveyor by using a 3D discrete element model (DEM). Numerical simulations are conducted with rock chip particles of various sizes, as well as spherical particles, while varying the inclination angle, screw pitch length, and rotational speed of the screw conveyor. The simulation results show that the relative size between the muck particles and pitch has a significant effect on the discharge rate, and an optimal ratio of pitch to flight diameter is suggested. The particle-level analysis reveals distinctive particle discharge paths and a velocity distribution of muck particles along the screw axis. The study proposes the ratio of the screw pitch to the maximum particle size as the primary design parameter to predict the discharge rate. This is because large particles play a critical role in determining the discharge rate. The study highlights the usefulness of 3D DEM-based simulation as a tool to investigate discharge behavior of particulate materials through a screw conveyor. Moreover, it advances our understanding of rock chip-type muck discharge behavior during TBM excavation, providing guidance for screw conveyor design and feedback during TBM operation.

Transcending Borders and Bias: The Multifaceted Life and Legacy of Dr. Hector Pérez García.

Héctor Pérez García's transformative leadership in Hispanic civil rights within the U.S. remains an integral topic of academic discussion. As a dedicated physician, a resilient World War II veteran, and a fervent civil rights advocate, García seamlessly merged these roles, paving a distinct path that defined his multifaceted advocacy. His unique approach and steadfast commitment to justice and equality not only solidified his position as a transformative leader but also emphasized the importance of his endeavors in shaping the nation's historical narrative. It is this intricate interplay of his personal experiences and professional pursuits that places García at the epicenter of academic discussions around Hispanic rights and activism.This paper is committed to unpacking the nuances of García's significant contributions, while also providing a comprehensive perspective on the socio-political landscape of his time - a setting that both shaped and was profoundly affected by his groundbreaking efforts.

Ascl1 and Ngn2 convert mouse embryonic stem cells to neurons via functionally distinct paths

Ascl1 and Ngn2, closely related proneural transcription factors, are able to convert mouse embryonic stem cells into induced neurons. Despite their similarities, these factors elicit only partially overlapping transcriptional programs, and it remains unknown whether cells are converted via distinct mechanisms. Here we show that Ascl1 and Ngn2 induce mutually exclusive side populations by binding and activating distinct lineage drivers. Furthermore, Ascl1 rapidly dismantles the pluripotency network and installs neuronal and trophoblast cell fates, while Ngn2 generates a neural stem cell-like intermediate supported by incomplete shutdown of the pluripotency network. Using CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening, we find that Ascl1 relies more on factors regulating pluripotency and the cell cycle, such as Tcf7l1. In the absence of Tcf7l1, Ascl1 still represses core pluripotency genes but fails to exit the cell cycle. However, overexpression of Cdkn1c induces cell cycle exit and restores the generation of neurons. These findings highlight that cell type conversion can occur through two distinct mechanistic paths, even when induced by closely related transcription factors.

A Fuzzy Logic Approach and Path Algorithm for Time and Energy Management of Smart Cleaning Robots

Smart home technologies (SHM) or devices provide some degree of digitally connected, automated, or enhanced services to building occupants in residential areas and have been becoming increasingly popular in recent years. SHM have the potential to improve home comfort, convenience, security, and energy management. Different technologies are used to equip household parts for smarter monitoring, movement, and remote control and to allow effective harmonic interaction between them. Especially, energy management and path-planning algorithms are some of the important problems for such technologies to get optimum efficiency and benefit. Smart vacuum cleaning robot is one of the applications of such devices with various functions. These cleaning robots have limited battery power and battery sizes, thus effective cleaning is critical. Additionally, the shortest / optimal path planning is essential for the efficient operation of effective cleaning based on the battery time. In this article, two distinct algorithms, which are Search algorithm and CSP algorithm are utilized to obtain distinct optimal minimum path lengths for keeping the home's total dirt level as low as possible. Depending on various types of linguistic, abstract, or perceptual variables, these algorithms are not enough for the energy management of the battery. Therefore, the fuzzy logic-based inference system is proposed for obtaining the charge durability of battery of the cleaning robot, in addition to these algorithms. The inputs affecting the charge durability are considered as floor type, dirt level and the width of area for the fuzzy approach.

Rapid specialization and stiffening of the primitive matrix in developing articular cartilage and meniscus.

Understanding early patterning events in the extracellular matrix (ECM) formation can provide a blueprint for regenerative strategies to better recapitulate the function of native tissues. Currently, there is little knowledge on the initial, incipient ECM of articular cartilage and meniscus, two load-bearing counterparts of the knee joint. This study elucidated distinctive traits of their developing ECMs by studying the composition and biomechanics of these two tissues in mice from mid-gestation (embryonic day 15.5) to neo-natal (post-natal day 7) stages. We show that articular cartilage initiates with the formation of a pericellular matrix (PCM)-like primitive matrix, followed by the separation into distinct PCM and territorial/interterritorial (T/IT)-ECM domains, and then, further expansion of the T/IT-ECM through maturity. In this process, the primitive matrix undergoes a rapid, exponential stiffening, with a daily modulus increase rate of 35.7% [31.9 39.6]% (mean [95% CI]). Meanwhile, the matrix becomes more heterogeneous in the spatial distribution of properties, with concurrent exponential increases in the standard deviation of micromodulus and the slope correlating local micromodulus with the distance from cell surface. In comparison to articular cartilage, the primitive matrix of meniscus also exhibits exponential stiffening and an increase in heterogeneity, albeit with a much slower daily stiffening rate of 19.8% [14.9 24.9]% and a delayed separation of PCM and T/IT-ECM. These contrasts underscore distinct development paths of hyaline versus fibrocartilage. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into how knee joint tissues form to better guide cell- and biomaterial-based repair of articular cartilage, meniscus and potentially other load-bearing cartilaginous tissues. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Successful regeneration of articular cartilage and meniscus is challenged by incomplete knowledge of early events that drive the initial formation of the tissues' extracellular matrix in vivo. This study shows that articular cartilage initiates with a pericellular matrix (PCM)-like primitive matrix during embryonic development. This primitive matrix then separates into distinct PCM and territorial/interterritorial domains, undergoes an exponential daily stiffening of ≈36% and an increase in micromechanical heterogeneity. At this early stage, the meniscus primitive matrix shows differential molecular traits and exhibits a slower daily stiffening of ≈20%, underscoring distinct matrix development between these two tissues. Our findings thus establish a new blueprint to guide the design of regenerative strategies to recapitulate the key developmental steps in vivo.

Evolution and hot electron generation of laser–plasma instabilities in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

A series of 2D in-plane plane wave particle-in-cell simulations find distinctive paths of laser-plasma instability evolution in OMEGA-scale implosions, depending on the initial electron temperature. At low temperatures, two-plasmon decay (TPD) dominates in both initial growth and the steady state. At high temperatures, the initial dominant modes switch to stimulated Raman scattering, but TPD still dominates a steady state characterized by cavitation and Langmuir turbulence. A hot electron scaling is also obtained from the simulations that, when combined with laser/plasma conditions from hydro simulations, can predict hot electron generation in implosions that do not employ smoothing-by-spectral-dispersion (SSD). It also shows that under the same laser/plasma conditions, SSD can reduce hot electron generation.

How do CSI and CSR perceptions affect word of mouth recommendations? The role of trust, distrust, and moral norms

PurposeThis paper has a twofold objective: (1) to examine how trust and distrust mediate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and irresponsibility (CSI) perceptions and word of mouth recommendations; and (2) to show that moral norms moderate this mediating relationship.Design/methodology/approachTwo experimental studies test the proposed model. Study 1 performs a single-factor experiment with three levels of corporate social responsibility (positive, neutral, negative) to test the mediation hypothesis (N = 180, 66% females, mean age = 22.3). Study 2 validates the mediation findings and examines the role of moral norms as moderators (N = 240, 50% females, mean age = 39.5).FindingsStudy 1 reveals that trust in the company partially mediates the effects of CSR on word of mouth (WOM) recommendations. Study 2 shows that consumers who adhere to higher moral standards follow distinct paths to negative WOM. Specifically, these consumers tend to spread negative comments when they expect the firm to behave irresponsibly. When unsure about future corporate behaviour, they are less likely to spread negative WOM.Originality/valueThis is the first study, to the authors' knowledge, to demonstrate how moral norms shape the effects of distrust in the corporate culprit on word of mouth recommendations. Accordingly, this research proves that conceptualising trust and distrust as separate constructs is useful in explaining consumer reactions to corporate social irresponsibility.

The effect of Islamic attributes, destination image, scepticism, perceived value and halal awareness on the intention to engage in Muslim-friendly travel

Purpose This study aims to empirically test the influence of pull factors on the intention to engage in Muslim-friendly travel. This study proposes a distinct path between Islamic attributes and emotional value and scepticism, along with destination image and its functional value. This study also proposes the role of halal awareness in moderating the relationship between Islamic attributes and scepticism. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative approach using an online survey. The authors purposively selected younger individuals who had travelled inside the country at least three times during the past five years. With a total of 416 valid responses, this study used variance-based partial least squares to test the hypotheses. Findings The results show that intention to engage in Muslim-friendly travel is positively influenced by emotional and functional values, but negatively by scepticism. Emotional value and scepticism are influenced by Islamic attributes, whereas functional value is influenced by destination image. More specifically, halal awareness is proven to moderate the relationship between Islamic attributes and scepticism, in which individuals with a higher level of halal awareness tend to be less sceptical about halal offerings. Originality/value This study supports a previous study in which emotional and functional values are considered differently by consumers. Furthermore, the dual role of Islamic attributes, as pull factors, is confirmed, providing a deeper understanding of its influence on emotional value and scepticism. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is also the first to investigate the role of halal awareness in increasing the level of scepticism among Muslim consumers.

A distinct integration path? Latino economic elites in Los Angeles growing the Latino middle class

ABSTRACT This research examines Latino economic elites in Los Angeles who engage in ‘ethnoracial philanthropy’ – giving to or creating ethnic-centric organisations that focus on alleviating socioeconomic inequalities. We draw on 65 in-depth interviews to provide insights into the ethnoracial educational structures created by Latino elites to facilitate the mobility of Latino youth. We compare three ways in which philanthropy manifests: via the creation of Latino scholarship funds; ethnic-centric charter schools in low-income Latino neighbourhoods; Latino youth leadership programmes comprised of college students from the top 100 universities. These institutions may serve to widen the path to inclusion by creating a distinct ethnoracial integration path via education, contrasting with assimilation theory and the minority culture of mobility framework. However, the focus on education, and not on other issues, benefits those who reproduce the elites’ image.

Continuous programmable mid-infrared thermal emitter and camouflage based on the phase-change material In3SbTe2.

In3SbTe2 (IST), a new non-volatile phase-change material (PCM), promises highly tunable infrared optical properties and offers a distinct path to the significant modulation of its optical scattering fingerprint, suggesting tremendous applications. In this Letter, we demonstrate and optimize a four-layer emitter based on IST, achieving an ultra-wide average emissivity variation of more than 94% in the middle-infrared region (MIR, 3-5 µm). This remarkable emissivity difference can be further continuously modified by changing the structural composition in terms of the amorphous and crystalline states of the IST layers. Based on this continuous programmable emission, the MIR emission characteristics of marble, maple leaf, and blue polyvinyl chloride are successfully imitated together on a desert background, demonstrating the programmable and multi-level MIR optical camouflage capabilities of IST. This work provides a promising platform for continuously modulating emission characteristics and offers a reference for the subsequent application of programmable optical devices.

Parametric amplification induced giant nonreciprocal unconventional photon blockade in a single microring resonator

We theoretically propose an all-optical scheme to implement a giant nonreciprocal unconventional photon blockade (UPB) in a single photonic device. By considering the backscattering coupling between clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) waves with the same frequency, we show that in the single microring χ2-nonlinear resonator, UPB happens when the resonator is pumped to induce a parametric amplification nonlinear process in one direction but not the other. This originates from the induced nonreciprocal transmission for the driving mode's resonance by the unidirectionally pumping, leading to different quantum interference effects between distinct driven-dissipative excitation paths for the CW and CCW modes. We analytically give the optimal conditions for achieving the nonreciprocal UPB. Our work provides a way to achieve single quantum nonreciprocal devices without moving parts, which greatly simplifies its experimental implementation.

Optimize your leadership pipeline: leveraging HR analytics for C-suite executive development

PurposeThis paper employs human resources (HR) analytics to investigate the pathways through which high-potential managers ascend to C-suite positions, and how different developmental paths influence turnover among executives.Design/methodology/approachBy combining job analysis and competency assessment with sequence analysis, the authors utilize HR analytics to analyze the work experiences of 53 general managers spanning 57 years (n = 2,742), encompassing various roles, job requirements, and 20 executive competencies attached to over 1,000 positions.FindingsThis study's findings reveal three distinct developmental paths that lead to the C-suite, characterized by differences in the content, context, timing, and complexity of work experience. Furthermore, the authors identify that a more complex developmental path tends to reinforce executives' competency in self-awareness while inhibiting their development of technical competency, ultimately resulting in reduced executive turnover.Originality/valueBy employing HR analytics to analyze empirical data embedded in job and organizational contexts, this study sheds light on the critical role of timing and complexity of work experiences in executive development. It also offers practical implications for firms seeking to optimize their leadership pipeline and reduce executive turnover by leveraging HR analytics effectively.

Attract or repel: how street features shape pedestrians’ leisure walks in cities

ABSTRACT The paper presents a field study analysing how pedestrians walked for leisure purposes in a familiar urban area, and why they walked as they did. Using mobile-based GPS, the walking trajectories of 44 participants were recorded, followed by the administration of a post-walk survey. Results show that participants gravitated towards five distinct paths that were similar in length (three shorter and two longer paths), yet observably different with respect to specific street features. Correspondingly, participants rated street features associated with these differences as factors that either attracted them towards, or repelled them away, from walking in specific streets.

Dynamic Neural Network Architecture Design for Predicting Remaining Useful Life of Dynamic Processes

The prediction of remaining useful life is critical in predictive health management. This is done to reduce the expenses associated with operation and maintenance by avoiding errors and failures in dynamic processes. Recently, the abilities of feature classification and automated extraction of neural networks in its convolutional forms have shown fascinating performance when used for estimating the remaining useful life of dynamic processes using deep learning structures. This was accomplished by putting these talents to the task of predicting how long the procedures would be beneficial. Existing network topologies, on the other hand, virtually entirely extract features at a single scale while neglecting important information at other sizes. Meanwhile, because of the architecture of a single network path, the comprehensiveness of the features discovered by these tools is limited. To address these concerns, the authors propose a network structure based on a feature fusion strategy on a parallel multiscale architecture. This structure is then utilized to compute the remaining useful life. This prototype is divided into two sections: the first is a multiscale feature extraction module designed to extract local information features, and the second is a causal convolution module designed to extract global information features by combining multi-layer causal convolution with average pooling. The multiscale feature extraction module is intended for the extraction of local information features, while the causal convolution module is intended for the extraction of global information features. Finally, the two distinct paths are joined to create a fully integrated layer. The simulations and results show that this method has the potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of estimating the remaining useful life index. Furthermore, the advantages of the established strategy are shown by comparing the results obtained with those produced by applying cutting-edge techniques on a well-known data-set depicting a simulated turbofan engine.

Prevalence and significance of DDX41 gene variants in the general population

AbstractGerm line variants in the DDX41 gene have been linked to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development. However, the risks associated with different variants remain unknown, as do the basis of their leukemogenic properties, impact on steady-state hematopoiesis, and links to other cancers. Here, we investigate the frequency and significance of DDX41 variants in 454 792 United Kingdom Biobank (UKB) participants and identify 452 unique nonsynonymous DNA variants in 3538 (1/129) individuals. Many were novel, and the prevalence of most varied markedly by ancestry. Among the 1059 individuals with germ line pathogenic variants (DDX41-GPV) 34 developed MDS/AML (odds ratio, 12.3 vs noncarriers). Of these, 7 of 218 had start-lost, 22 of 584 had truncating, and 5 of 257 had missense (odds ratios: 12.9, 15.1, and 7.5, respectively). Using multivariate logistic regression, we found significant associations of DDX41-GPV with MDS, AML, and family history of leukemia but not lymphoma, myeloproliferative neoplasms, or other cancers. We also report that DDX41-GPV carriers do not have an increased prevalence of clonal hematopoiesis (CH). In fact, CH was significantly more common before sporadic vs DDX41-mutant MDS/AML, revealing distinct evolutionary paths. Furthermore, somatic mutation rates did not differ between sporadic and DDX41-mutant AML genomes, ruling out genomic instability as a driver of the latter. Finally, we found that higher mean red cell volume (MCV) and somatic DDX41 mutations in blood DNA identify DDX41-GPV carriers at increased MDS/AML risk. Collectively, our findings give new insights into the prevalence and cognate risks associated with DDX41 variants, as well as the clonal evolution and early detection of DDX41-mutant MDS/AML.

Jurassic NLR: Conserved and dynamic evolutionary features of the atypically ancient immune receptor ZAR1.

Plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors generally exhibit hallmarks of rapid evolution, even at the intraspecific level. We used iterative sequence similarity searches coupled with phylogenetic analyses to reconstruct the evolutionary history of HOPZ-ACTIVATED RESISTANCE1 (ZAR1), an atypically conserved NLR that traces its origin to early flowering plant lineages ∼220 to 150 million yrs ago (Jurassic period). We discovered 120 ZAR1 orthologs in 88 species, including the monocot Colocasia esculenta, the magnoliid Cinnamomum micranthum, and most eudicots, notably the Ranunculales species Aquilegia coerulea, which is outside the core eudicots. Ortholog sequence analyses revealed highly conserved features of ZAR1, including regions for pathogen effector recognition and cell death activation. We functionally reconstructed the cell death activity of ZAR1 and its partner receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (RLCK) from distantly related plant species, experimentally validating the hypothesis that ZAR1 evolved to partner with RLCKs early in its evolution. In addition, ZAR1 acquired novel molecular features. In cassava (Manihot esculenta) and cotton (Gossypium spp.), ZAR1 carries a C-terminal thioredoxin-like domain, and in several taxa, ZAR1 duplicated into 2 paralog families, which underwent distinct evolutionary paths. ZAR1 stands out among angiosperm NLR genes for having experienced relatively limited duplication and expansion throughout its deep evolutionary history. Nonetheless, ZAR1 also gave rise to noncanonical NLRs with integrated domains and degenerated molecular features.

On-demand tuning of mechanical stiffness and stability of Kresling origami harnessing its nonrigid folding characteristics

Being adaptive with respect to changing operating conditions and the environment is an imperative demand for advanced engineering structures. In this research, two Kresling origami units are stacked together to form an online and on-demand tunable dual-Kresling origami structure (D-KOS), allowing easy and significant change in the multistability profile and apparent stiffness without redesign. Specifically, by harnessing its nonrigid folding nature together with geometric characteristics, the D-KOS can be programmed to follow distinct paths of its strain energy contour as varying (rotational angle of the top plate of the D-KOS), which can be utilized to explicitly derive different mechanical properties. The D-KOS with identical Kresling origami units can exhibit various symmetric bistable behaviors with different energy barriers via adjusting . Such a structure becomes a monostable system as the tuning variable reaches a critical value. This change in the energy landscape and stability profile gives rise to a change in stiffness at its stable equilibria, which, as a result, creates a wide range of stiffness value one can achieve, including quasi-zero stiffness. Such tuning of does not require redesign of the structure and thus can achieve online and on-demand tailoring. To verify the concept, proof-of-concept prototypes are developed and utilized to validate the D-KOS’s mechanical tunability experimentally. Moreover, the different design parameters of the D-KOS can change its tunability. For example, the D-KOS with nonidentical Kresling origami units can possess even richer stability properties (being asymmetric bistable, symmetric bistable, and monostable) with various energy landscapes. In addition, one can also tailor the range of the adjustable stiffness by changing the design parameters, such as the ratio of the angle between the polygon side and the valley crease of the triangular facets, and the height of the Kresling origami unit.