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We present a target localization method using an approximated error covariance matrix based weighted least squares (WLS) solution, which integrates received signal strength (RSS) and angle of arrival (AOA) data for wireless sensor networks. We approximated linear WLS errors via second-order Taylor approximation, and further approximated the error covariance matrix using a least-squares solution and the variance in measurement noise over the sensor nodes. The algorithm does not require any prior knowledge of the true target position or noise variance. Simulations validated the superior performance of our new method.

All existing hybrid target localization algorithms using received signal strength (RSS) and angle of arrival (AOA) measurements in wireless sensor networks, to the best of our knowledge, assume a single target such that even in the presence of multiple targets, the target localization problem is translated to multiple single-target localization problems by assuming that multiple measurements in a node are identified with their originated targets. Herein, we first consider the problem of multi-target localization when each anchor node contains multiple RSS and AOA measurement sets of unidentified origin. We propose a computationally efficient method to cluster RSS/AOA measurement sets that originate from the same target and apply the existing single-target linear hybrid localization algorithm to estimate multiple target positions. The complexity analysis of the proposed algorithm is presented, and its performance under various noise environments is analyzed via simulations.

In this paper, we present a design method for a wideband non-uniformly spaced linear array (NUSLA), with both symmetric and asymmetric geometries, using the modified reinforcement learning algorithm (MORELA). We designed a cost function that provided freedom to the beam pattern by setting limits only on the beam width (BW) and side-lobe level (SLL) in order to satisfy the desired BW and SLL in the wide band. We added the scan angle condition to the cost function to design the scanned beam pattern, as the ability to scan a beam in the desired direction is important in various applications. In order to prevent possible pointing angle errors for asymmetric NUSLA, we employed a penalty function to ensure the peak at the desired direction. Modified reinforcement learning algorithm (MORELA), which is a reinforcement learning-based algorithm used to determine a global optimum of the cost function, is applied to optimize the spacing and weights of the NUSLA by minimizing the proposed cost function. The performance of the proposed scheme was verified by comparing it with that of existing heuristic optimization algorithms via computer simulations.

We present a novel hybrid localization algorithm for wireless sensor networks in the absence of knowledge regarding the transmit power and path-loss exponent. Transmit power and the path-loss exponent are critical parameters for target localization algorithms in wireless sensor networks, which help extract target position information from the received signal strength. In the absence of information on transmit power and path-loss exponent, it is critical to estimate them for reliable deployment of conventional target localization algorithms. In this paper, we propose a simultaneous estimation of transmit power and path-loss exponent based on Kalman filter. The unknown transmit power and path-loss exponent are estimated using a Kalman filter with the tentatively estimated target position based solely on angle information. Subsequently, the target position is refined using a hybrid method incorporating received signal strength measurements based on the estimated transmit power and path-loss exponent. Our proposed algorithm accurately estimates transmit power and path-loss exponent and yields almost the same target position accuracy as the simulation results confirm, as the hybrid target localization algorithms with known transmit power and path-loss exponent. Simulation results confirm the proposed algorithm achieves 99.7% accuracy of the target localization performance with known transmit power and path-loss exponent, even in the presence of severe received signal strength measurement noise.

In Drosophila larvae, nociceptive mdIV sensory neurons detect diverse noxious stimuli and prompt a nociceptive rolling response. Intriguingly, the same neurons also regulate stereotyped larval movement. The channels responsible for transducing these stimuli into electric signals are not yet fully identified. Here we undertook genetic and electrophysiological analysis of Ppk19, a member of the Deg/ENaC family of cationic channels. ppk19 mutants exhibited an impaired nociceptive rolling response upon mechanical force and acid, but no impairment in response to noxious temperature and gentle touch. Mutants also exhibited defective larval movement. RNAi against ppk19 in mdIV neurons likewise produced larvae with defects in mechanical and acid nociception and larval movement, but no impairment in detection of heat and gentle touch. Cultured cells transfected with ppk19 produced currents in acid and hypotonic solution, suggesting that ppk19 encodes an ion channel that responds to acid and cell swelling. Taken together, these findings suggest that Ppk19 acts in mdIV neurons as a proton- and mechano-gated ion channel to mediate acid- and mechano-responsive nociception and larval movement.

The pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders is complex, involving disruptions in gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, gut–brain–microbiota interactions, and psychosocial factors. Light pollution, as an environmental stressor, has been associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms and the aggravation of stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental stress, particularly continuous light exposure, on intestinal motility and inflammation using zebrafish larvae as a model system. We also evaluated the efficacy of probiotics, specifically Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum), at alleviating stress-induced constipation. Our results showed that continuous light exposure in zebrafish larvae increased the cortisol levels and reduced the intestinal motility, establishing a stress-induced-constipation model. We observed increased inflammatory markers and decreased intestinal neural activity in response to stress. Furthermore, the expressions of aquaporins and vasoactive intestinal peptide, crucial for regulating water transport and intestinal motility, were altered in the light-induced constipation model. Administration of probiotics, specifically B. longum, ameliorated the stress-induced constipation by reducing the cortisol levels, modulating the intestinal inflammation, and restoring the intestinal motility and neural activity. These findings highlight the potential of probiotics to modulate the gut–brain axis and alleviate stress-induced constipation. Therefore, this study provides a valuable understanding of the complex interplay among environmental stressors, gut function, and potential therapeutic strategies.

Clinical translation of current cancer vaccine research has been hampered by limited antitumor immune responses due to inefficient antigen delivery and presentation, suboptimal DC and T cell activation. Biomaterial‐based nanovaccine offers targeted antigen delivery, protection from degradation in vivo, and prolonged tumor therapeutic efficacy. This study introduces a lipid‐coated deoxycholic acid‐survivin nanoassembly (DA‐L‐DSA). Survivin, overexpressed in several cancer cells and involved in cancer cell growth and immune evasion, is selected as a tumor‐associated antigen. An major histocompatibility complex class I binding epitope of survivin is engineered into the nanoassembly. R848, TLR 7/8 agonist, and SD‐208, TGF‐beta receptor1 kinase inhibitor, are coencapsulated into the nanoassembly as potent adjuvants to boost DC maturation and enhance antigen presentation. The DA‐L‐DSA effectively stimulates the maturation of dendritic cells, migrates into lymph nodes, and enhances T‐cell activation and Th1 response. A substantial influx of cytotoxic T lymphocytes into primary tumors is observed in a murine melanoma model and demonstrates anti‐metastatic effects in a spontaneous breast cancer metastasis model. Furthermore, DA‐L‐DSA exhibits a remarkable synergistic effect in the combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors alleviating immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Taken together, these findings suggest DA‐L‐DSA as a promising immuno‐therapeutic platform that could be applicable to diverse intractable cancers. This study demonstrates the efficacy of dendritic cell‐mediated anticancer immunotherapy in allograft melanoma models and metastatic breast cancer models by producing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I binding peptide epitopes of survivin proteins expressed in various cancers in the form of self‐assembled nanostructures with dual adjuvants.

BackgroundThe emergence of cancer immunotherapies, notably immune checkpoint inhibitors, has revolutionized anti-cancer treatments. These treatments, however, have been reported to be effective in a limited range of cancers and cause immune-related adverse effects. Thus, for a broader applicability and enhanced responsiveness to solid tumor immunotherapy, immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment is crucial. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been implicated in reducing immunotherapy responsiveness by promoting M2-type differentiation of macrophages and facilitating cancer cell metastasis.MethodsIn this study, we developed macrophage membrane-coated nanoparticles loaded with a TGF-βR1 kinase inhibitor, SD-208 (M\\(\\)-SDNP). Inhibitions of M2 macrophage polarization and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells were comprehensively evaluated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Bio-distribution study and in vivo therapeutic effects of M\\(\\)-SDNP were investigated in orthotopic breast cancer model and intraveneously injected metastasis model.ResultsM\\(\\)-SDNPs effectively inhibited cancer metastasis and converted the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (cold tumor) into an immunostimulatory tumor microenvironment (hot tumor), through specific tumor targeting and blockade of M2-type macrophage differentiation. Administration of M\\(\\)-SDNPs considerably augmented the population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the tumor tissue, thereby significantly enhancing responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors, which demonstrates a robust anti-cancer effect in conjunction with anti-PD-1 antibodies.ConclusionCollectively, responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors was considerably enhanced and a robust anti-cancer effect was demonstrated with the combination treatment of M\\(\\)-SDNPs and anti-PD-1 antibody. This suggests a promising direction for future therapeutic strategies, utilizing bio-inspired nanotechnology to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

This research examines sources of women's low earnings and gender earnings inequality in Korea between 1977 and 1990. While focusing on this issue, the study also addresses additional questions: the applicability of the theories of human capital and sex segregation on gender earnings inequality in the Korean labor market, and the impact of social change on gender earnings inequality. Education and tenure are included as indicators of human capital characteristics and sex segregation is measured by the proportion of females in each occupation. The effects of the occupational groups are also controlled for in the analysis. The data for this study consist of cell means of total monthly earnings, years of tenure, hours worked monthly, and the number of workers cross classified by occupation and education as published in the Korea Yearbook of Labor Statistics during 1977 to 1990. Separate equations for male and female are estimated and compared. The findings show that education and tenure have positive effects on the level of earnings for both men and women although, in general, the overall effects of education and tenure tend to be greater for women than for men. While the proportion of females in an occupation shows a negative effect on earnings for both groups, women are penalized more than three times greater than the amount that men are when working with more women. However, this negative effect disappears when occupational groups are controlled. The standardization of log earnings suggests that a considerable portion of the gender earnings gap would be reduced if women had higher levels of education and tenure. Although other unaccounted factors of the labor market are also involved, much of the earnings gap is attributable to discrimination against women, i.e., women's returns to labor market characteristics are lower than those enjoyed by men. Finally, the findings suggest that earnings tended to increase during the 1980s. Furthermore, during the same period the proportionate increases of earnings were higher for women than for men. This indicates that there was a continuous decline in the level of gender earnings inequality during the period of 1977 to 1990.

This study examines the process of earnings determination of workers and assesses the explanatory power of human capital and sex segregation theory on earnings inequality between women and men in the South Korean labor market. It analyzes a pooled cross-section and time series data set for all non-agricultural occupations for 14 years. Two separate regressions for men and women are estimated using two stage weighted least squares methods. The research findings show that education and tenure have positive effects on logged earnings as expected. Proportion female negatively affects earnings of men and women while women tend to experience four times greater penalty for working with other women in occupations. However, the sex segregation becomes an insignificant factor in lowering women's earnings level when occupational groups are controlled. Gender earnings inequality gradually decreased during 14 years as the earnings of women increased more than those of men.