Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Deeply Buried UXO Using CPT Magnetometers

The location and identification of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from magnetometer measurements have long been an area of active research interest. Ground surface methods, which are widely used for objects buried in shallow depths, become ineffective for objects deep in the soil because the object's anomalous field diminishes rapidly with distance, and interference by metal debris on the ground surface is significant. For the location and identification of deeply buried UXO, a total-field magnetometer equipped with a cone penetrometer technology (CPT) drilling system is employed in this paper. A novel inversion method is developed to extract information from individual and multiple CPT profiles. Compared with conventional inversion methods providing a single minimum as an estimate, this approach tests the likelihood distribution over the anticipated solution space, hence providing reliability. Real-world data are collected from a test site for the location and identification of a specific target. All experiments and simulations demonstrate the superior capability of this technique in solving real-world problems when only limited data points are available
Integrated software for image processing in RF SAW/BAW laser probe system

The paper describes the development of an integrated software environment for the image processing of complex data captured by phase-sensitive SAW/BAW laser probe system. By the software using graphical user interface, efficient diagnosis of SAW/BAW devices is made possible. The developed software displays the amplitude and phase images of acquired results, and a motion movie of the field pattern. The 2D fast Fourier transform (FFT) and inverse FFT (IFFT) are performed just by clicking a related button on the interface. Prior to the FFT and/or IFFT operation, we can extract or withdraw specific data in x-y or betax-betay space by mouse operation on the image. This makes the wave domain analysis such as selective visualization of spurious resonance modes most handy.
Defining the landscape of adaptive genetic diversity

Whether they are used to describe fitness, genome architecture or the spatial distribution of environmental variables, the concept of a landscape has figured prominently in our collective reasoning. The tradition of landscapes in evolutionary biology is one of fitness mapped onto axes defined by phenotypes or molecular sequence states. The characteristics of these landscapes depend on natural selection, which is structured across both genomic and environmental landscapes, and thus, the bridge among differing uses of the landscape concept (i.e. metaphorically or literally) is that of an adaptive phenotype and its distribution across geographical landscapes in relation to selective pressures. One of the ultimate goals of evolutionary biology should thus be to construct fitness landscapes in geographical space. Natural plant populations are ideal systems with which to explore the feasibility of attaining this goal, because much is known about the quantitative genetic architecture of complex traits for many different plant species. What is less known are the molecular components of this architecture. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Parchman et al. (2012) pioneer one of the first truly genome‐wide association studies in a tree that moves us closer to this form of mechanistic understanding for an adaptive phenotype in natural populations of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.).
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate is Involved in the Occlusive Arteriopathy of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Despite several advances in the pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), its pathogenesis is not completely understood. Current therapy improves symptoms but has disappointing effects on survival. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a lysophospholipid synthesized by sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and SphK2. Considering the regulatory roles of S1P in several tissues leading to vasoconstriction, inflammation, proliferation, and fibrosis, we investigated whether S1P plays a role in the pathogenesis of PAH. To test this hypothesis, we used plasma samples and lung tissue from patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and the Sugen5416/hypoxia/normoxia rat model of occlusive PAH. Our study revealed an increase in the plasma concentration of S1P in patients with IPAH and in early and late stages of PAH in rats. We observed increased expression of both SphK1 and SphK2 in the remodeled pulmonary arteries of patients with IPAH and PAH rats. Exogenous S1P stimulated the proliferation of cultured rat pulmonary arterial endothelial and smooth-muscle cells. We also found that 3 weeks of treatment of late-stage PAH rats with an SphK1 inhibitor reduced the increased plasma levels of S1P and the occlusive pulmonary arteriopathy. Although inhibition of SphK1 improved cardiac index and the total pulmonary artery resistance index, it did not reduce right ventricular systolic pressure or right ventricular hypertrophy. Our study supports that S1P is involved in the pathogenesis of occlusive arteriopathy in PAH and provides further evidence that S1P signaling may be a novel therapeutic target.
Evaluation of Histone 3 Lysine 27 Trimethylation (H3K27me3) and Enhancer of Zest 2 (EZH2) in Pediatric Glial and Glioneuronal Tumors Shows Decreased H3K27me3 in H3F3A K27M Mutant Glioblastomas

H3F3A mutations are seen in ∼30% of pediatric glioblastoma (GBMs) and involve either the lysine residue at position 27 (K27M) or glycine at position 34 (G34R/V). Sixteen genes encode histone H3, each variant differing in only a few amino acids. Therefore, how mutations in a single H3 gene contribute to carcinogenesis is unknown. H3F3A K27M mutations are predicted to alter methylation of H3K27. H3K27me3 is a repressive mark critical to stem cell maintenance and is mediated by EZH2, a member of the polycomb‐group (PcG) family. We evaluated H3K27me3 and EZH2 expression using immunohistochemistry in 76 pediatric brain tumors. H3K27me3 was lowered/absent in tumor cells but preserved in endothelial cells and infiltrating lymphocytes in six out of 20 GBMs. H3K27me3 showed strong immunoreactivity in all other tumor subtypes. Sequencing of GBMs showed H3F3A K27M mutations in all six cases with lowered/absent H3K27me3. EZH2 expression was high in GBMs, but absent/focal in other tumors. However, no significant differences in EZH2 expression were observed between H3F3A K27M mutant and wild type GBMs, suggesting that EZH2 mediated trimethylation of H3K27 is inhibited in GBM harboring K27M mutations. Our results indicate that H3F3A K27M mutant GBMs show decreased H3K27me3 that may be of both diagnostic and biological relevance.
Sound Information Notification System by Two-Channel Electrotactile Stimulation for Hearing Impaired Persons

Hearing impaired persons (HIPs) are afraid of walking along a street and living a life alone. If they can successfully get sound information via some machine interface, dangerous situations outdoors will be avoided, and their quality of life indoors will be improved. This paper describes a notification system for transmitting sound information to HIPs with two-channel electrotactile stimulation, assuming that it is used both outdoors and indoors. The proposed system consists of two subsystems: one is a block which detects sound information and another one is to transmit the detected sound information with electrotactile stimulation. In the system developed, sound information is provided with the attention arousal, notifying the direction of the sound source (four states) and the sound category (seven states). Thus, 28 states of sound information are sent. We adopted 12 stimulation patterns comprising several burst profiles, each burst composed of several pulses modulated in amplitude. In the first subsystem, recognition ratio of the direction was 90 % and detection ratio of the sound category was 80 %. In the second subsystem, recognition experiments for the direction of the sound source and the sound category performed for four healthy subjects showed that the average percentages of correct recognition were 91 % and 89 %, and the reaction times 1.21 seconds and 1.62 seconds. These results suggested the possible applicability of the proposed system to assist HIPs.
Torque and reactive power control of doubly-fed induction machine with matrix converter

Asymptotic torque-reactive power vector control algorithm based on full doubly-fed induction machine model is designed and investigated. Full-scale experimental testing of the doubly-fed induction machine control algorithms with matrix converter at rotor side is performed. Doubly-fed induction machine control algorithm has been implemented in real time using DSP-controller and successfully tested on the experimental rig.
Isolation of the oncogene and epidermal growth factor-induced transin gene: complex control in rat fibroblasts

Various oncogenes or epidermal growth factor (EGF) induce transcription of a 1.9-kilobase RNA (transin RNA) in rat fibroblasts. The induction by EGF can be blocked by cycloheximide. Thus the response of the transin gene to EGF appears to require de novo protein synthesis. Transin RNA induction is specific to EGF, as neither insulin, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, nor transforming growth factor beta could elicit the same response. However, transforming growth factor beta could block the EGF induction of transin RNA. Whereas the calcium ionophore A23187 and the tumor promoter TPA, either alone or administered together, did not increase transin RNA levels, TPA could synergise with a serum factor to effect such an increase. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP also induced transin RNA. Treatment of cells with the microfilament-disrupting agent cytochalasin B, but not the microtubule-disrupting agent colcemid, resulted in an increase in transin RNA levels, suggesting a role for the cytoskeleton in control of transin gene expression. The transin RNA does not contain repeated sequences and appears to be encoded by a single-copy gene. The protein sequence encoded by the last four exons of the transin gene shows some homology to two regions of the heme-binding protein hemopexin.
Modulation of Protein Kinases and Microtubule-associated Proteins and Changes in Ultrastructure in Female Rat Pituitary Cells: Effects of Estrogen and Bromocriptine

This study focused on the intracellular signal transduction system and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), such as MAP-2 and Tau protein. The modulation of these proteins and their correlation with ultrastructural changes were investigated in rat pituitary prolactin (PRL) cells. Adult female Wistar rats were treated with estrogen and bromocriptine and their pituitary glands were removed for analysis of the expression of tubulin, MAP-2, Tau protein, protein kinase C (PKC), and calcium calmodulin (CaM) kinase. Western blot analysis showed that estrogen increased and bromocriptine decreased the expression of PKCα, β1, β2, CaM kinase α, β, MAP-2, and Tau protein. MAP-2 and Tau protein, which are cytosolic proteins, being translated on free ribosomes, were associated with the membrane of whirling rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in estrogen-treated cells and dissociated with vesiculated RER induced by bromocriptine. These results suggested that the modulation of MAP-2 and Tau protein may reflect changes of PKC and CaM kinase, and that the quantitative changes and intracellular modulation of MAPs induced by estrogen and bromocriptine, i.e., estrogen-induced association and bromocriptine-induced dissociation of MAP-2 and Tau protein with membrane of RER, may reflect the dynamics of microtubules and are associated with structural changes in the RER and changes in the synthesis and intracellular transport of PRL.
Integral Equation Macromodel of a slot-excited microstrip antenna

In this work, the idea of Integral Equation Macromodels (IEMs) is applied to speed-up numerical analysis of slot-fed microstrip antennas. The microstrip antenna macromodel is constructed on the basis of surface integral equation (SIE) formulation solved with standard method-of-moments (MoM) technique, where we apply equivalence-principle domain-decomposition method (EP-DDM) combined with wideband approximation using asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE).
Telecare, Surveillance, and the Welfare State

In Europe, telecare is the use of remote monitoring technology to enable vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes. The technology includes electronic tags and sensors that transmit information about the user's location and patterns of behavior in the user's home to an external hub, where it can trigger an intervention in an emergency. Telecare users in the United Kingdom sometimes report their unease about being monitored by a “Big Brother,” and the same kind of electronic tags that alert telecare hubs to the movements of someone with dementia who is “wandering” are worn by terrorist suspects who have been placed under house arrest. For these and other reasons, such as ordinary privacy concerns, telecare is sometimes regarded as an objectionable extension of a “surveillance state. ” In this article, we defend the use of telecare against the charge that it is Orwellian. In the United States, the conception of telecare primarily as telemedicine, and the fact that it is not typically a government responsibility, make a supposed connection with a surveillance state even more doubtful than in Europe. The main objection, we argue, to telecare is not its intrusiveness, but the danger of its deepening the isolation of those who use it. There are ways of organizing telecare so that the independence and privacy of users are enhanced, but personal isolation may be harder to address. As telecare is a means of reducing the cost of publicly provided social and health care, and the need to reduce public spending is growing, the correlative problem of isolation must be addressed alongside the goal of promoting independence.
Studies on open source real time operating systems: For vehicle suspension control

Studying the TIMELINESS of PERIODIC tasks of real time operating systems available in open source, to determine the reliability and efficiency of the systems for implementing them in suspension control of ground vehicles. We take several operating systems which are open source and are available to the public through GNU license (ex: Linux). The Kernels, which are the building blocks of the operating systems which connect hardware and software, are patched using selective real time patches which makes the operating system real time. This is done in order to unlock real time capabilities such as unbounded latencies and real time priorities. These operating systems are tested for their efficiency and timeliness. The results are compared with the test logs of non-real time operating system. These kernels are then cross compiled and built for ARM architecture. This kernel is then applied to an embedded system which is then tested using the same afore mentioned tests. The results are logged and analyzed.
Electrical charges and currents distribution analysis in plaque samples by the DCIC-Q(t) method

Both the space charges and the currents in the solid dielectrics are important properties to describe the insulating and dielectric behaviors of insulation materials. Usually, they are measured by the individual appropriate method, such as PEA method for space charges and pico-ammeter for leakage currents, however, as weak signals should be treated with, the information obtained from the measurements is that of bulk samples in general, and thus it is difficult to find the properties in a small area. We have been investigating “direct current integrated charge (DCIC-Q(t)) method” which the charges can be estimated as a time integration of the whole current in. As the current is integrated in the method, compared to the pico-ammeter, the measuring accuracy of a small current is expected to be improved. From the view points, applying DCIC-Q(t) method, we have tried to decrease the dimensions of measuring electrodes, and have arranged the electrodes in the square area, and then have made Q(t) meter with “the multiple electrodes”. Some of plaque samples of oil-impregnated papers are measured by the method, and space charges and currents distributions were evaluated.
Age-related infections with rotavirus, rotaviruslike virus, and atypical rotavirus in turkey flocks

The genome electropherotyping technique was used in longitudinal surveys to detect group A rotavirus, rotaviruslike virus (RVLV), atypical rotavirus (ATR), and reovirus in intestinal contents or fecal specimens collected from turkeys in 10 commercial and 2 research station flocks. These viruses were detected in turkeys from 8 to 10 commercial flocks surveyed. Of 278 specimens collected from turkeys less then 29 days old in commercial flocks, 79 (28.4%) contained one or more viruses, whereas only 1 of 120 specimens collected from turkeys older than 28 days had virus. Viruses were detected in commercial turkeys between 3 and 35 days old, and over a third of the specimens collected from birds during their first week of life were positive for group A rotavirus. Between 8 and 28 days of age, commercial turkeys were infected with group A rotavirus, RVLV, ATR, and reovirus. ATR was the only virus detected in birds older than 28 days. Overall, group A rotavirus and RVLV were each detected in 39 specimens, and ATR was detected in 7 specimens; reovirus was detected in 2 specimens. Eight of the positive specimens contained two viruses. All 102 specimens collected from turkeys 1 to 56 days old in the two research station flocks were negative for virus.
FOXO1 Transcription Factor Inhibits Luteinizing Hormone β Gene Expression in Pituitary Gonadotrope Cells*

Background: Insulin signaling regulates luteinizing hormone (LH) production in pituitary gonadotrope cells through unknown mechanisms. Results: FOXO1 phosphorylation and cellular localization are regulated by insulin signaling, and FOXO1 represses LH β-subunit (Lhb) transcription. Conclusion: Our study highlights a novel mechanism for regulation of Lhb gene expression. Significance: FOXO1 may act as a metabolic sensor in controlling LH levels and fertility. Synthesis of luteinizing hormone (LH) is tightly controlled by a complex network of hormonal signaling pathways that can be modulated by metabolic cues, such as insulin. One group of candidate genes that may be regulated by insulin signaling in pituitary gonadotrope cells is the FOXO subfamily of forkhead transcription factors. In this study we investigated whether FOXO1 is expressed in gonadotropes and if it can modulate LH β-subunit (Lhb) gene expression. We demonstrated that FOXO1 is expressed in murine gonadotrope cells and that insulin signaling increased FOXO1 phosphorylation and cytoplasmic localization in a PI3K-dependent manner. We also showed that FOXO1 repressed basal transcription and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) induction of both the murine and human LHB genes in LβT2 cells, suggesting that FOXO1 regulation of LHB transcription may be conserved between rodents and humans. Although we did not detect FOXO1 binding to the proximal Lhb promoter, the FOXO1 DNA binding domain was necessary for the suppression, suggesting that FOXO1 exerts its effect through protein-protein interactions with transcription factors/cofactors required for Lhb gene expression. FOXO1 repression mapped to the proximal Lhb promoter containing steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), pituitary homeobox 1 (PTX1), and early growth response protein 1 (EGR1) binding elements. Additionally, FOXO1 blocked induction of the Lhb promoter with overexpressed SF1, PTX1, and EGR1, indicating that FOXO1 repression occurs via these transcription factors but not through regulation of their promoters. In summary, we demonstrate that FOXO1 phosphorylation and cellular localization is regulated by insulin signaling in gonadotropes and that FOXO1 inhibits Lhb transcription. Our study also suggests that FOXO1 may play an important role in controlling LH levels in response to metabolic cues.
Pharmacokinetics of Buprenorphine after Single-Dose Subcutaneous Administration in Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Abstract Buprenorphine, a μ opioid receptor agonist, is expected to be a suitable analgesic drug for use in reptiles. However, to date, dosage recommendations have been based on anecdotal observations. The aim of this study was to provide baseline pharmacokinetic data in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) targeting a plasma level of 1 ng/ml reported effective for analgesia in humans. Serial blood samples were taken after subcutaneous injection of buprenorphine, and plasma buprenorphine levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Pharmacokinetic parameters of a lower dose (0.02 mg/kg) injected into the forelimb were compared with a higher dose (0.05 mg/kg) given in the same forelimb as well as a lower dose (0.02 mg/kg) given in the hind limb of the same animals with 2 wk between studies. After administration of 0.05 mg/kg in the front limb, 85% of animals maintained the minimum effective plasma level for 24 hr, while only 43% of animals maintained this level after 0.02 mg/kg. After hind limb injection at 0.02 mg/kg, maximum plasma concentrations and areas under the buprenorphine concentration-time curve were less than 20% and 70%, respectively, of values after forelimb injection, consistent with substantial first pass extraction by the liver. Furthermore, a secondary rise in the buprenorphine level was found after having only a hind limb injection, probably from enterohepatic recirculation of glucuronidated drug. In conclusion, buprenorphine dosages of at least 0.075 mg/kg s.i. d. should be appropriate for evaluation of analgesia efficacy, and front limb administration may be preferable to hind limb administration for optimal drug exposure.
Bayesian Bivariate Linear Mixed-Effects Models with Skew-Normal/Independent Distributions, with Application to AIDS Clinical Studies

Bivariate correlated (clustered) data often encountered in epidemiological and clinical research are routinely analyzed under a linear mixed-effected (LME) model with normality assumptions for the random-effects and within-subject errors. However, those analyses might not provide robust inference when the normality assumptions are questionable if the data set particularly exhibits skewness and heavy tails. In this article, we develop a Bayesian approach to bivariate linear mixed-effects (BLME) models replacing the Gaussian assumptions for the random terms with skew-normal/independent (SNI) distributions. The SNI distribution is an attractive class of asymmetric heavy-tailed parametric structure which includes the skew-normal, skew-t, skew-slash, and skew-contaminated normal distributions as special cases. We assume that the random-effects and the within-subject (random) errors, respectively, follow multivariate SNI and normal/independent (NI) distributions, which provide an appealing robust alternative to the symmetric normal distribution in a BLME model framework. The method is exemplified through an application to an AIDS clinical data set to compare potential models with different distribution specifications, and clinically important findings are reported.
Low excess noise AlxIn1-xAsySb1-y (x: 0.3∼0.7) avalanche photodiodes

We report avalanche photodiodes fabricated from a previously uncharacterized material system, Al<inf>x</inf>In<inf>1-x</inf>As<inf>y</inf>Sb<inf>1-y</inf> digital alloy. A series of Al<inf>x</inf>In<inf>1-x</inf>As<inf>y</inf>Sb<inf>1-y</inf> (x: 0.3∼0.7) p-i-n avalanche photodiodes have been grown on GaSb substrate. Dark current characteristics, avalanche multiplication, external quantum efficiency, and excess noise are presented. Very low excess noise, corresponding to k = 0.03∼0.05, has been observed.