Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the irreducible uncertainty in near‐term climate projections

If the Paris agreement at the Conference of Parties 21 is implemented very effectively, greenhouse‐gas emissions might decrease after year 2020. Whether this would lead to identifiable near‐term responses in “iconic” climate quantities of wide scientific and public interest is unclear, because the climate response would be obscured by quasi‐random internal variability. I define the climate response as an increase or decrease in a linear climate trend over the period 2021–2035, compared to 2006–2020, and establish the probability of such a trend change being caused by an assumed policy shift toward emissions reductions after 2020. I quantify the irreducible uncertainty in projecting such a trend change through very large (100‐member) ensembles of the state‐of‐the‐art climate model MPI‐ESM‐LR. Trends in global‐mean surface temperature (GMST) are higher over the period 2021–2035 than over 2006–2020 in one‐third of all realizations in the mitigation scenario RCP2.6, interpreted as implementing the Paris agreement, compared to around one‐half in the no‐mitigation scenario RCP4.5. Mitigation is sufficient to cause a GMST trend reduction with a probability of 0.40 and necessary with a probability of 0.33. Trend increases in Arctic September sea‐ice area and the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation are caused by the emissions reductions with a probability of only around 0.1. By contrast, emissions reductions are necessary for a trend decrease in upper‐ocean heat content with a probability of over one‐half. Some iconic climate quantities might thus by year 2035 exhibit an identifiable response to a successful Paris agreement but sometimes with low probability, creating a substantial communication challenge.
WizBee: Wise ZigBee Coexistence via Interference Cancellation with Single Antenna

Coexistence of Wi-Fi and ZigBee in 2.4 GHz ISM band is a long standing and challenging problem. Previous solutions either require modifications of current ZigBee protocols or Wi-Fi re-configurations, which is not feasible in large-scale wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we present WizBee, a coexistence system using single-antenna sink without changing current Wi-Fi and ZigBee design. WizBee is based on an observation that Wi-Fi signal is about 5 to 20 dB stronger than ZigBee signal in symmetric area, which leaves much room for applying interference cancelation technique to mitigate Wi-Fi interference, and extract ZigBee signals. However, we need to cancel the Wi-Fi interference perfectly for residual ZigBee signal decoding, which needs more accurate channel coefficient across data transmissions in spite of cross technology interference. For robust and accurate Wi-Fi decoding, we use soft Viterbi decoding with weighted confidence value over interfered subcarriers. Consequently, our solution uses decoded data for channel coefficient estimation instead of conventional training symbol based methods. The key insight is that, the signal recovery opportunity for cross technology coexistence, lies in multi-domain information, such as power, frequency and coding discrepancies. Using these information properly will improve the coexistence network throughput effectively. We implemented WizBee in USRP/GNURadio software radio platform, and studied the decoding performance of interference cancelation technique. Our extensive evaluations under real wireless conditions show that WizBee improves ZigBee throughput up to 1.9x, with median throughput gain of 1.2x.
High-bandwidth microrheology of cytoskeletal networks

The understanding of the material properties, the organization and the assembly of the cytoskeleton remains challenging. In this thesis the viscoelastic properties of cytoskeletal networks were investigated using microrheology. An optical trapping based microrheology setup has been constructed, which is more compact and less sensitive to noise, while allowing sampling with higher bandwidth compared to existing setups. Passive and active one- and two-particle microrheology can be performed using two independent optical traps with different wavelengths, which are steerable with high precision using acousto- as well as electro-optical deflection. The custom-built microscope includes DIC and fluorescence illumination and high-precision three-dimensional positioning of the sample is achieved by a piezoelectric stage. The alignment, drift and noise performance of the setup has been tested in a simple viscous fluid and in living cells. High-bandwidth microrheological measurements in a variety of model systems were performed. Simple microtubule networks were investigated, as well as a nonequilibrium system of microtubules together with motor proteins. A composite network consisting of microtubules and F-actin with and without cross-linkers is described and its viscoelastic properties were measured over a wide range of frequencies. Furthermore, a nonequilibrium system involving microtubules and F-actin as well as microtubule-associated motor proteins has been characterized. A novel technique called stiff filament microrheology has been developed and tested in a network of F-actin. Microtubules were embedded in an entangled solution of F-actin. Nanometer-sized gold beads were attached to the microtubules and their motion has been tracked by an optical trap. The shape of the filament is analyzed as a superposition of Fourier modes and the fluctuations at a point along the filament already comprises the whole bending dynamics, which can be related to the material properties of the surrounding network restricting the filament s motion. First results for the complex shear modulus of F-actin were in agreement with the theoretical expectation and standard microrheology measurements of the same sample system.
Draft Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium bovis BZ 31150 and Mycobacterium bovis B2 7505, Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Archived Captive Animal Bronchial Washes and Human Sputum Samples in Uganda

ABSTRACT Bovine tuberculosis (BTB), a zoonotic infection of cattle caused by Mycobacterium bovis, results in losses of $3 billion to the global agricultural industry and represents the fourth most important livestock disease worldwide. M. bovis as a source of human infection is likely underreported due to the culture medium conditions used to isolate the organism from sputum or other sample sources. We report here the draft genome sequences of M. bovis BZ 31150, isolated from a bronchial washing from a captive chimpanzee, and M. bovis B2 7505, isolated from a human sputum sample in Uganda.
Design consideration for high frequency LLC resonant converter with matrix transformer

This paper analyzes application of a matrix transformer structure in high frequency LLC resonant converter. Soft-switching condition for primary switches has been derived considering the parasitic capacitance of elements in resonant circuit. A comparison is made between characteristics of cascade GaN and state-of-the-art Si switching devices and its effect on the value of resonant current. The concept of matrix transformer has been described and applied in the design of LLC resonant converter. Area product method for selecting appropriate size of ferrite core is presented in respect to the value of the transformer magnetizing current and zero voltage turn-on condition for primary switches. As shown, additional core losses due to the use of matrix transformer structure is negligible compared to reduced conduction and switching losses. Design of 400V/24V 500W high frequency LLC converter with matrix transformers is presented, and experimental model is made in order to verify the analysis. Experimental results recorded on a LLC converter prototype are provided to verify fulfilling of the soft-switching condition for primary switches in specified switching frequency range.
Ontology-based approaches for cross-enterprise collaboration: a literature review on semantic business process management

Based on an in-depth analysis of the existing approaches in applying semantic technologies to business process management (BPM) research in the perspective of cross-enterprise collaboration or so-called business-to-business integration, we analyse, discuss and compare methodologies, applications and best practices of the surveyed approaches with the proposed criteria. This article identifies various relevant research directions in semantic BPM (SBPM). Founded on the result of our investigation, we summarise the state of art of SBPM. We also address areas and directions for further research activities.
Near-Infrared Observations of a Redshift 5.34 Galaxy: Further Evidence for Dust Absorption in the Early Universe

Imaging at 1.25 and 2.20 μm has been obtained of the field containing the galaxy (RD1) found at redshift z=5.34 by Dey et al. This galaxy has been detected at 1.25 μm, while the lower redshift (z=4.02) galaxy also found in the same field by Dey et al. was detected at both 1.25 and 2.20 μm. Comparison to stellar population synthesis models indicates that if RD1 is a young (t<108 yr) galaxy, significant reddening (AV>0.5 mag) is indicated. Combined with observations of other high-redshift systems, these data show that dust is likely to be an important component of young galaxies even at redshifts of z>5. The extinction-corrected monochromatic luminosity of RD1 at 1500 Å is then a factor of about 3 larger than L*1500 as determined by Dickinson for z~3 starburst galaxies. The implied star formation rate in RD1, corrected for extinction, is ~50-100 h−250 M☉ yr-1.
On-chip power supply network optimization using multigrid-based technique

In this paper, we present a multigrid-based technique for on-chip power supply network optimization. We reduce a large-scale network to a much coarser one which can be efficiently optimized. The solution for the original network is then quickly computed using a back-mapping process. We model the power grid by an RLC network and use time-varying current sources to capture the on-chip switching. Our technique is capable of optimizing power grid and decoupling capacitance simultaneously. Experimental results show that the proposed technique provides more robust and are-efficient solutions than those obtained by the earlier approaches. It also provides a significant speed-up and brings up a possibility of incorporating power supply network optimization into other physical design stages such as signal routing.
Centrality Measures on Big Graphs: Exact, Approximated, and Distributed Algorithms

Centrality measures allow to measure the relative importance of a node or an edge in a graph w.r. t. ~other nodes or edges. Several measures of centrality have been developed in the literature to capture different aspects of the informal concept of importance, and algorithms for these different measures have been proposed. In this tutorial, we survey the different definitions of centrality measures and the algorithms to compute them. We start from the most common measures, such as closeness centrality and betweenness centrality, and move to more complex ones such as spanning-edge centrality. In our presentation, we begin from exact algorithms and then progress to approximation algorithms, including sampling-based ones, and to highly-scalable MapReduce algorithms for huge graphs, both for exact computation and for keeping the measures up-to-date on dynamic graphs where edges are inserted or removed over time. Our goal is to show how advanced algorithmic techniques and scalable systems can be used to obtain efficient algorithms for an important graph mining task, and to encourage research in the area by highlighting open problems and possible directions.
Distributed Nash equilibrium seeking by gossip in games on graphs

We consider a gossip approach for finding a Nash equilibrium in a distributed multi-player network game. We extend previous results on Nash equilibrium seeking to the case when the players' cost functions may be affected by the actions of any subset of players. An interference graph is employed to illustrate the partially-coupled cost functions and the asymmetric information requirements. For a given interference graph, we design a generalized communication graph so that players with possibly partially-coupled cost functions exchange only their required information and make decisions based on them. Using a set of standard assumptions on the cost functions, interference and communication graphs, we prove almost sure convergence to a Nash equilibrium for diminishing step sizes. We then quantify the effect of the second largest eigenvalue of the expected communication matrix on the convergence rate, and illustrate the trade-off between the parameters associated with the communication and the interference graphs. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed algorithm on a large-scale networked game is demonstrated via simulation.
On visibility maintenance via controlled invariance for leader-follower Dubins-like vehicles

The paper studies the visibility maintenance problem (VMP) for a leader-follower pair of robots modelled as first-order dynamic systems and proposes an original solution based on the notion of controlled invariance. The nonlinear model describing the relative dynamics of the vehicles is interpreted as linear uncertain system, with the leader robot acting as an external disturbance. The VMP can then be reformulated as a linear constrained regulation problem with additive disturbances (DLCRP). New positive D-invariance conditions for linear uncertain systems with parametric disturbance matrix are introduced and used to solve the VMP when box bounds on the state, control input and disturbance are considered. The proposed design procedure can be easily adapted to provide the control with UBB disturbances rejection capabilities. As an extension, the paper addresses the VMP on a circle. Simulation experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed designs.
Application of the Pola r WRF model for Svalbard - sensitivity to planetary boundary layer, radiation and microphysics schemes

This paper constitutes the sensitivity study of application the Polar WRF model to the Svalbard area with testing selected parameterizations, including planetary boundary layer, radiation and microphysics schemes. The model was configured, using three one-way nested domains with 27 km, 9 km and 3 km grid cell resolutions. Results from the innermost domain were presented and compared against measured wind speed and air temperature at 10 meteorological stations. The study period covers two months: June 2008 and January 2009. Significant differences between simulations results occurred for planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes in January 2009. The Mellor-Yamada-Janjic (MYJ) planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme resulted in the lowest errors for air temperature, according to mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE) and correlation coefficient values, where for wind speed this scheme was the worst from all the PBL schemes tested. In the case of June 2008, shortwave and longwave radiation schemes influenced the results the most. Generally, higher correlations were obtained for January, both for air temperature and wind speed. However, the model performs better for June in terms of ME and MAE error statistics. The results were also analyzed spatially, to summarize the uncertainty of the model results related to the analyzed parameterization schemes groups. Significant variability among simulations was calculated for January 2009 over the northern part of Spitsbergen and fjords for the PBL schemes. Standard deviations for monthly average simulated values were up to 3.5°C for air temperature and around 1 m s-1 for wind speed.
Regional Glacier recession: An indicator of global warming, a study of Kolahoi Glacier (Liddar Valley), Western Himalayas

Since the beginning of twentieth century, mountain glaciers have generally experienced worldwide retreat and thinning in response to ~0.74°C increase in global mean surface temperature. Consequently, additional fresh water is released from glacier storage that modifies current stream flow regimes. Water resources play a key role in the sustainable development of human activities and for preserving the ecological environment in the Kashmir valley. Glaciers have a substantial influence on the local water cycle by temporarily storing water as snow and ice on many different time-scales. Scientific communities and sectors of water resources management have recently recognized the strong influence of glaciers on catchment runoff quantity and distribution. In this backdrop, an attempt has been made to examine how climatic change influences glacier behaviour and the water quantity from its discharge. A study of the Kolahoi Glacier, Liddar Headwater, Kashmir Himalayas, is presented here. The study was carried out using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques. The Kolahoi Glacier shows a faster retreat than other Kashmir Himalayan glaciers. The area of the glacier receded from 11.22 km² in 1992 to 9.80 km² in 2010, registering a change of 1.42 km2 in 18 years at a rate of 0.078 km2 per year. As the glacier is receding very fast during the recent time its discharge also shows an increasing trend. The result of this retreat will prove disastrous for the valley in a number of ways like drinking water, agriculture, horticulture, ground water, hydro power capacity of the state, etc. Therefore, efforts need to made to save this precious source of water for the present as well as for future generations. Key words: Climatic change, remote sensing, Kolahoi Glacier, Liddar, Kashmir Himalayas.
In situ spectroscopic ellipsometry of SIS barrier formation

First reported by our research group in 2007, AlN tunnel barriers grown by ICP nitridation of thin Al overlayers offer a promising alternative to Al oxide barriers for high current density SIS junctions used in quantum limited THz heterodyne receivers [1]. However, the growth rate of AlN is heavily dependent on ICP operating conditions and as new uncharacterized nitridation processes are investigated, knowledge of the barrier thickness is integral to realizing SIS junctions of desired current density, which is exponentially dependent upon barrier thickness. An in situ method for real time monitoring of ICP AlN growth on thin Al overlayers through the use of spectroscopic ellipsometry and a correlation of the determined AlN thickness to the normal resistance area product (RNA) of the resulting trilayer is reported.
Game-Theoretic Power Control in Impulse Radio UWB Wireless Networks

In this paper, a game-theoretic model for studying power control for wireless data networks in frequency-selective multipath environments is analyzed. The uplink of an impulse-radio ultrawideband system is considered. The effects of self-interference and multiple-access interference on the performance of Rake receivers are investigated for synchronous systems. Focusing on energy efficiency, a noncooperative game is proposed in which users in the network are allowed to choose their transmit powers to maximize their own utilities, and the Nash equilibrium for the proposed game is derived. It is shown that, due to the frequency selective multipath, the noncooperative solution is achieved at different signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios, respectively of the channel realization. A large-system analysis is performed to derive explicit expressions for the achieved utilities. The Pareto-optimal (cooperative) solution is also discussed and compared with the noncooperative approach.
Object Recognition Using Rgb-d Images. Some Preliminary Results

This research on Object Recognition using RGB-D images was performed during the three month pos-doctoral stay of PhD. Noslen Hernández at the VISGRAPH Lab at the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA). This note show the ideas that were explored as well as the experimental results reached. Some conclusions and future line of work are given at the end.
Does combined dry land strength and aerobic training inhibit performance of young competitive swimmers?

THE AIM OF THE CURRENT STUDY WAS TWOFOLD (i) to examine the effects of eight weeks of combined dry land strength and aerobic swimming training for increasing upper and lower body strength, power and swimming performance in young competitive swimmers and, (ii) to assess the effects of a detraining period (strength training cessation) on strength and swimming performance. The participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group (eight boys and four girls) and a control group (six boys and five girls). Apart from normal practice sessions (six training units per week of 1 h and 30 min per day), the experimental group underwent eight weeks (two sessions per week) of strength training. The principal strength exercises were the bench press, the leg extension, and two power exercises such as countermovement jump and medicine ball throwing. Immediately following this strength training program, all the swimmers undertook a 6 week detraining period, maintaining the normal swimming program, without any strength training. Swimming (25 m and 50 m performances, and hydrodynamic drag values), and strength (bench press and leg extension) and power (throwing medicine ball and countermovement jump) performances were tested in three moments: (i) before the experimental period, (ii) after eight weeks of combined strength and swimming training, and (iii) after the six weeks of detraining period. Both experimental and control groups were evaluated. A combined strength and aerobic swimming training allow dry land strength developments in young swimmers. The main data can not clearly state that strength training allowed an enhancement in swimming performance, although a tendency to improve sprint performance due to strength training was noticed. The detraining period showed that, although strength parameters remained stable, swimming performance still improved. Key pointsThis study investigated the effect of dry land strength training on sprint performance in young competitive swimmers.A combined strength and aerobic swimming training allow dry land strength developments in young swimmers.The main data can not clearly state that strength training allowed an enhancement in swimming performance, although a tendency to improve sprint performance due to strength training was noticed.The detraining period showed that, although strength parameters remained stable, swimming performance still improved.
Formation of nuclear bodies by the lncRNA Gomafu-associating proteins Celf3 and SF1

Gomafu/MIAT/Rncr2 is a long noncoding RNA that has been proposed to control retinal cell specification, stem cell differentiation and alternative splicing of schizophrenia‐related genes. However, how Gomafu controls these biological processes at the molecular level has remained largely unknown. In this study, we identified the RNA‐binding protein Celf3 as a novel Gomafu‐associating protein. Knockdown of Celf3 led to the down‐regulation of Gomafu, and cross‐link RNA precipitation analysis confirmed specific binding between Celf3 and Gomafu. In the neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2A, Celf3 formed novel nuclear bodies (named CS bodies) that colocalized with SF1, another Gomafu‐binding protein. Gomafu, however, was not enriched in the CS bodies; instead, it formed distinct nuclear bodies in separate regions in the nucleus. These observations suggest that Gomafu indirectly modulates the function of the splicing factors SF1 and Celf3 by sequestering these proteins into separate nuclear bodies.