Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Identification and Characterization of Drought and Aridity in Postglacial Paleoenvironmental Records from the Northern Great Plains

The Northern Great Plains region is especially sensitive to drought and is likely to be even more drought-prone under projected global warming. Drought has been invoked as an explanatory factor for changes seen in postglacial paleoenvironmental records. These proxy records may extend drought history derived from instrumental data. Moreover, in the last decade, some paleoenvironmental studies have been expressly undertaken for the examination of long-term drought history. Nevertheless, few such studies explicitly define drought. This makes it difficult to compare results or to understand what the results mean in terms of the operational drought definitions that are used in resource management. Operational drought is defined as usually short-term; longer sustained dry intervals reflect a shift to aridity. Therefore, high resolution paleoenvironmental proxies (annual or subdecadal) are best for the investigation of drought history. Such proxies include tree rings and some lake records. However, most lake-based records are sampled at lower resolution (decadal or subcentury) and are therefore providing aridity signals.
Joint time-domain tracking of channel and frequency offset for OFDM systems

This paper addresses the problem of joint channel and frequency offset estimation and tracking for OFDM systems. The proposed method is based on extended Kalman filtering. The channel taps and the frequency offset are estimated in the time-domain while equalization is performed in the frequency domain. Simulation results demonstrate accurate the tracking capability of the algorithm in scenarios when the channels are time-frequency selective. The frequency offset may be slowly or abruptly changing in time.
Levamisole: its stability in aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures. II. An assay specific for levamisole and applicable to stability studies.

An assay specific for the anthelmintic drug levamisole is described. The procedure depends on the separation of the active constituent by partition column chromatography in a hexane-water-chloroform-triethanolamine system supported on Celite, followed by ultraviolet spectroscopic measurement of the levamisole in selected fractions of the column eluate.
Fully integrated nonlinear modeling and characterization system of microwave transistors with on-wafer pulsed measurements

A novel approach for nonlinear characterization and modeling of microwave transistors has been developed. The whole process is organized as a set of methods contained in the transistor database. This implies that characterization and modeling are performed in an integrated manner. I(V) and S-parameters are measured on wafer under pulsed conditions, suitable for MESFETs, HEMTs or HBTs as illustrated by the proposed models. <<ETX>>
RAPD analysis of Campylobacter isolates: DNA fingerprinting without the need to purify DNA

A method was developed to obtain reproducible DNA fingerprints from Campylobacter by PCR‐based amplification, without the need to isolate total DNA. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles were generated with three randomly designed 10‐mers, using each separately as an amplification primer. A range of C. jejuni serotypes could be typed by RAPD analysis. Depending on the primer, the analysis of RAPD profiles resulted in different levels of discrimination between the strains. Clear correlations were observed between results of RAPD analysis and serotyping. Two of the primers tested generated RAPD profiles which allowed discrimination of strains within given Penner and Lior serotypes.
Reading Stories to Learn Math

The present study involved examining whether a storybook reading intervention targeting mathematics vocabulary, such as “equal,” “more,” and “less,” and associated number concepts would increase at-risk children’s vocabulary knowledge and number competencies. Children with early numeracy difficulties (N = 124) were recruited from kindergarten classes in four schools. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a storybook number competencies (SNC) intervention, a number sense intervention, or a business-as-usual control. Interventions were carried out in groups of four children over 8 weeks (24 30-minute sessions). Findings demonstrated that the SNC intervention group outperformed the other groups on measures of mathematics vocabulary, both in terms of words that were closely aligned to the intervention and those that were not. There was no effect of the SNC intervention, however, on general mathematics measures, suggesting a need to provide the mathematics vocabulary work along with more intensive instruction in number concepts.
Robust semantic analysis by synthesis of 3D facial motion

Rich face models already have a large impact on the fields of computer vision, perception research, as well as computer graphics and animation. Attributes such as descriptiveness, semantics, and intuitive control are desirable properties but hard to achieve. Towards the goal of building such high-quality face models, we present a 3D model-based analysis-by-synthesis approach that is able to parameterize 3D facial surfaces, and that can estimate the state of semantically meaningful components, even from noisy depth data such as that produced by Time-of-Flight (ToF) cameras or devices such as Microsoft Kinect. At the core, we present a specialized 3D morphable model (3DMM) for facial expression analysis and synthesis. In contrast to many other models, our model is derived from a large corpus of localized facial deformations that were recorded as 3D scans from multiple identities. This allows us to analyze unstructured dynamic 3D scan data using a modified Iterative Closest Point model fitting process, followed by a constrained Action Unit model regression, resulting in semantically meaningful facial deformation time courses. We demonstrate the generative capabilities of our 3DMMs for facial surface reconstruction on high and low quality surface data from a ToF camera. The analysis of simultaneous recordings of facial motion using passive stereo and noisy Time-of-Flight camera shows good agreement of the recovered facial semantics.
A wide-speed high torque capability utilizing overmodulation strategy for direct torque control of induction machines

This paper presents a simple overmodulation method employed in Direct Torque Control (DTC)-Constant Switching Frequency (CSF) controller of induction machines. The proposed overmodulation method is utilized to extend a constant torque region and hence produces high torque capability in field weakening region with six-step operation. It is shown that the overmodulation operation using the DTC-CSF scheme can be established by controlling the stator flux locus from circular to the hexagonal shape. This is achieved by modifying the flux error status produced from flux hysteresis controller, before it is being fed to the look-up table. The main benefit in the proposed strategy is its simplicity and it can be implemented in many electric drive applications to obtain maximum torque capability for a wider speed range operation.
Single-mode operation and transverse-mode control in VCSELs induced by frequency-selective feedback

An experimental study of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with frequency-selective feedback is reported. We show that we can force the laser to emit in its fundamental transverse mode or in a higher order transverse mode and that we can also control the polarization emitted in the fundamental one. We obtain single fundamental-mode operation within a large range of injection current values (almost /spl ap/2.5 I/sub th/) and a maximum optical power of 2.7 mW. In this current range, the output is found to be stable.
C-terminal Tail Residue Arg1400 Enables NADPH to Regulate Electron Transfer in Neuronal Nitric-oxide Synthase*

The neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) flavoprotein domain (nNOSr) contains regulatory elements that repress its electron flux in the absence of bound calmodulin (CaM). The repression also requires bound NADP(H), but the mechanism is unclear. The crystal structure of a CaM-free nNOSr revealed an ionic interaction between Arg1400 in the C-terminal tail regulatory element and the 2′-phosphate group of bound NADP(H). We tested the role of this interaction by substituting Ser and Glu for Arg1400 in nNOSr and in the full-length nNOS enzyme. The CaM-free nNOSr mutants had cytochrome c reductase activities that were less repressed than in wild-type, and this effect could be mimicked in wild-type by using NADH instead of NADPH. The nNOSr mutants also had faster flavin reduction rates, greater apparent Km for NADPH, and greater rates of flavin auto-oxidation. Single-turnover cytochrome c reduction data linked these properties to an inability of NADP(H) to cause shielding of the FMN module in the CaM-free nNOSr mutants. The full-length nNOS mutants had no NO synthesis in the CaM-free state and had lower steady-state NO synthesis activities in the CaM-bound state compared with wild-type. However, the mutants had faster rates of ferric heme reduction and ferrous heme-NO complex formation. Slowing down heme reduction in R1400E nNOS with CaM analogues brought its NO synthesis activity back up to normal level. Our studies indicate that the Arg1400-2′-phosphate interaction is a means by which bound NADP(H) represses electron transfer into and out of CaM-free nNOSr. This interaction enables the C-terminal tail to regulate a conformational equilibrium of the FMN module that controls its electron transfer reactions in both the CaM-free and CaM-bound forms of nNOS.
A fourth Denisovan individual

DNA retrieved from a tooth discovered deep in Denisova Cave allows us to assign it to the Denisovans, a group of archaic hominins. The presence of Neandertals in Europe and Western Eurasia before the arrival of anatomically modern humans is well supported by archaeological and paleontological data. In contrast, fossil evidence for Denisovans, a sister group of Neandertals recently identified on the basis of DNA sequences, is limited to three specimens, all of which originate from Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains (Siberia, Russia). We report the retrieval of DNA from a deciduous lower second molar (Denisova 2), discovered in a deep stratigraphic layer in Denisova Cave, and show that this tooth comes from a female Denisovan individual. On the basis of the number of “missing substitutions” in the mitochondrial DNA determined from the specimen, we find that Denisova 2 is substantially older than two of the other Denisovans, reinforcing the view that Denisovans were likely to have been present in the vicinity of Denisova Cave over an extended time period. We show that the level of nuclear DNA sequence diversity found among Denisovans is within the lower range of that of present-day human populations.
Drug abuse in athletes Claudia L Reardon

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation 2014:5 95–105 Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation Dovepress
Spectrum monitor for cognitive radio

The concept of a cognitive radio assumes that the receiver is able to determine the activity level across a large range of spectrum in order to assign a channel for its use. Hence a key function is a spectrum monitor to detect the spectrum availability as a first step. This thesis explores the requirements and design issues for the spectrum monitor receiver. The main challenge of this receiver design is to draw a spectrum map covering a wide range of frequency that is fast and accurate enough while consuming low power compared with the main transceiver circuits. The history and applications of the concept of cognitive radio (CR) are overviewed, followed by a wideband receiver architecture review, giving a wide range of scheme options for the proposed spectrum monitor. The concept of figure of merit (FoM) is then introduced. This concept helps to predict the performances versus power consumptions for active components over the next few years. By exploring the trend and relationship among FoMs, performances and time scales, a design approach is obtained to be used as a guide for system level receiver budget design. Then the spectrum monitor architecture is explored depending on the application and the figures of merits. For a representative cognitive radio application it is shown that the dual-down conversion architecture is suitable for the spectrum monitor, and the system specifications are given. Using these system specifications, the circuit level design of two of the key blocks is explored, where the requirements are significantly different from conventional designs reported in literature. A wide tuning range ring oscillator based PLL that is suitable for the frequency conversion and tuning functions is designed, fabricated and tested. A design method for high frequency on-chip bandpass filters is presented and experimentally tested. Comments on this research and future works are finally discussed.
CS-CMOS: A Low-Noise Logic Family for Mixed Signal SoCs

Managing the switching-noise in mixed-signal systems fabricated on a single chip is becoming increasingly challenging. This needs substantial overheads in both area and power. Existing logic families that minimize switching-noise generation, such as current-steering logic (CSL), current-balanced logic (CBL) etc. require considerably more power than traditional CMOS implementations. We present a new logic family called the current-steering CMOS (CS-CMOS) obtained by a simple modification keeping the core CMOS structure in tact to preserve its most attractive features. This family not only reduces the switching noise by a factor of ten but also delivers five times higher speed than CSL and CBL for the same power consumption. Experimental results comparing 15-stage ring-oscillators configured in the CSL and CS-CMOS families and fabricated in a 0.18 μm process show that their energy-delay-products are 6.5 fJ*ns and 1.52 fJ*ns respectively. The usefulness of this new logic family is further demonstrated by synthesizing a cell library of CS-CMOS gates and by using it to simulate benchmark circuits, a decimation filter and a frequency divider.
Development of a 5'-nuclease PCR assay for detecting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O145 based on the identification of an 'O-island 29' homologue.

AIMS A DNA sequence, from Escherichia coli STEC O145, homologous to O-island 29 from STEC O157 is described, together with a real-time PCR assay for detecting it. METHODS AND RESULTS PCR and sequencing were used to identify the 'O-island 29' homologous DNA sequence from STEC O145 (strain VTH34). The sequence divergence between the STEC O145 and O157 'O-island 29' allowed a STEC O145 5'-nuclease PCR assay to be developed. CONCLUSIONS The characterization of a novel locus in STEC O145 has allowed a specific O145 serogroup 5'-nuclease PCR assay to be designed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY These findings increase the number of serogroup PCR assays available as alternatives to classical O-serotyping of E. coli.
The Visualisation of Uncertainty for Spatially Referenced Census Data Using Hierarchical Tessellations

This paper explains why it is vital to account for uncertainty when utilising socioeco‐nomic data in a GIS, focusing on a novel and intuitive method to visually represent the uncertainty. In common with other data, it is not possible to know exactly how far from the truth socioeconomic data are. Therefore, when such data are used in a decision‐making environment an approximate measure given for correctness of data is an essential component. This is illustrated, using choropleth mapping techniques on census data as an example. Both attribute and spatial uncertainty are considered, with Monte Carlo statistical simulations being used to model attribute uncertainty. An appropriate visualisation technique to manage certain choropleth issues and uncer‐tainty in census type data is introduced, catering for attribute and spatial uncertainty simultaneously. This is done using the output from hierarchical spatial data structures, in particular the region quadtree and the HoR (Hexagon or Rhombus) quadtree. The variable cell size of these structures expresses uncertainty, with larger cell size indicating large uncertainty, and vice versa. This technique is illustrated using the New Zealand 2001 census data, and the TRUST (The Representation of Uncertainty using Scale‐unspecific Tessellations) software suite, designed to show spatial and attribute uncertainty whilst simultaneously displaying the original data.
Transfemoral implantation of Edwards Sapien XT aortic valve without previous valvuloplasty: Role of 2D/3D transesophageal echocardiography

Balloon valvuloplasty (BAV) has been considered a mandatory step before TAVI. However, it might be related to cerebrovascular microembolizations, atrioventricular conduction disturbances, and hemodynamic instability. The aim of this study is to describe transesophageal echocardiography characteristics of patients that could benefit from direct transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) of Edwards SAPIEN XT, without previous BAV.
Different visual stimuli affect body reorientation strategies during sidestepping

Sidestepping in response to unplanned stimuli is a high‐risk maneuver for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Yet, differences in body reorientation strategies between high‐ and low‐level soccer players prior to sidestepping in response to quasi‐game‐realistic vs non‐game‐realistic stimuli, remain unknown. Fifteen high‐level (semi‐professional) and 15 low‐level (amateur) soccer players responded to a quasi‐game‐realistic one‐defender scenario (1DS) and two‐defender scenario (2DS), and non‐game‐realistic arrow‐planned condition (AP) and arrow‐unplanned condition (AUNP). The AP, 1DS, 2DS to AUNP represented increasing time constraints to sidestep. Selected biomechanics from the penultimate step to foot‐off were assessed using a mixed‐model (stimuli × skill) ANOVA (P < 0.05). Step length decreased in the defender scenarios compared with the arrow conditions. Support foot placement increased laterally, away from mid‐pelvis, with increasing temporal constraints. Greater trunk lateral flexion in the 1DS, 2DS, and AUNP has been associated with ACL injury onsets. Higher level players pushed off closer to their pelvic midline at initial foot contact in the 2DS especially. Higher level perception of game‐realistic visual information could have contributed to this safer neuromuscular strategy that, when understood better, could potentially be trained in lower level players to reduce ACL injury risk associated with dangerous sidestepping postures.
Security Driven Requirements Refinement and Exploration of Architecture with Multiple NFR Points of View

Earlier software architecture design is essential particularly when it comes to security concerns, since security risks, requirements and architectures are all closely interrelated and interacting. We have proposed the security driven twin peaks method with a mutual refinement of the requirements, and architectures. However, there are multiple alternatives to an architecture design for initial requirements, and their choices depend on non-functional requirements (NFRs), such as security, performance, and cost which often largely change. We propose a new method we call TPM-SA2 to avoid any back-track in refinement. Each architectural alternative in TPM-SA2 is refined so that it aligns with the requirements. For each refinement, the requirements can be updated vice versa. TPM-SA2 enables us to predict the impacts on the NFRs by each candidate for the architecture, and choose the most appropriate one with respect to the impact. As a result, we can define the requirements and architectures, and estimated the development costs earlier than ever.
Activity recognition for indoor movement and estimation of travelled path

Nowadays, human activity recognition with wearables is an interesting field, but the accurate assessment of activity remains a challenging problem because of the different behaviour in which the activities are performed of different persons. In this paper machine learning with support vector machines in combination with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is used to determine the different kinds of indoor movement, like standing, walking or climbing ascending and descending stairways. And because indoor positioning is still an interesting theme, the detected human activity in combination with the accelerometer data of the IMU can be used for determination of the travelled path to help to locate the person indoor or to support indoor positioning systems. To limit the costs of the device, the approach is made to develop a system with the use of as few data as possible to reduce the hardware costs and the size of the device.
Time and Parallelizability Results for Parity Games with Bounded Tree and DAG Width

Parity games are a much researched class of games in NP intersect CoNP that are not known to be in P. Consequently, researchers have considered specialised algorithms for the case where certain graph parameters are small. In this paper, we study parity games on graphs with bounded treewidth, and graphs with bounded DAG width. We show that parity games with bounded DAG width can be solved in O(n^(k+3) k^(k + 2) (d + 1)^(3k + 2)) time, where n, k, and d are the size, treewidth, and number of priorities in the parity game. This is an improvement over the previous best algorithm, given by Berwanger et al., which runs in n^O(k^2) time. We also show that, if a tree decomposition is provided, then parity games with bounded treewidth can be solved in O(n k^(k + 5) (d + 1)^(3k + 5)) time. This improves over previous best algorithm, given by Obdrzalek, which runs in O(n d^(2(k+1)^2)) time. Our techniques can also be adapted to show that the problem of solving parity games with bounded treewidth lies in the complexity class NC^2, which is the class of problems that can be efficiently parallelized. This is in stark contrast to the general parity game problem, which is known to be P-hard, and thus unlikely to be contained in NC.
Symbolic models for networks of discrete-time nonlinear control systems

Symbolic models have recently spurred the interest of the research community because they offer a correct-by-design approach to the control of embedded and cyber-physical systems. In this paper we address construction of symbolic models for networks of discrete-time nonlinear control systems. The main result of the paper shows that under some small gain theorem-type conditions, a network of symbolic models can be constructed which approximates a network of incrementally stable control systems in the sense of approximate bisimulation with any desired accuracy. Compositional design of quantization parameters of the symbolic models is also derived and based on the topological properties of the network.
Fuzzy based adaptive bandwidth allocation scheme in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radios (CR) provides a promising solution to the problem of spectrum scarcity by increasing spectrum efficiency. CR coexists with the licensed users in a network. The network is assumed to be ad-hoc in nature where the master/controller of this ad-hoc network coordinates for spectrum allocation with the surrounding CR. In this paper, a two level hierarchical fuzzy system for adaptive bandwidth allocation is designed where one system evaluates the access latency based on an analytical model and the second system allocates the bandwidth to SU on the basis of priorities assigned to different traffic types of SU.