Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moving target indication enhancement in FMCW SAR using deramped randomized stepped-frequency signals

A new technique to enhance the indication of moving targets is proposed, which makes use of randomized Stepped Frequency Continuous Wave (SFCW) modulations, where the frequency order is changed from pulse to pulse. This kind of signals gives the possibility to discriminate target responses whose Doppler spectrum is folded back into the clutter region. The discrimination is performed directly during the range compression, so avoiding spectrum aliasing in the Doppler domain. For the range compression, the deramping technique, commonly used with linear SFCW, is extended to the case of non linear stepped modulations. In this way, the sampling constraints can be relaxed also when using randomized SFCW signals, allowing the same sampling frequency as with deramped linear SFCW, and reducing therefore the system complexity. Compared to linear modulations, randomized SFCW signals give also the advantage to suppress range ambiguities and therefore the capability to look at further range.
Pleiotropic Functions of the Chromodomain-Containing Protein Hat-trick During Oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Chromatin-remodeling proteins have a profound role in the transcriptional regulation of gene expression during development. Here, we have shown that the chromodomain-containing protein Hat-trick is predominantly expressed within the oocyte nucleus, specifically within the heterochromatinized karyosome, and that a mild expression is observed in follicle cells. Colocalization of Hat-trick with Heterochromatin Protein 1 and synaptonemal complex component C(3)G along with the diffused karyosome after hat-trick downregulation shows the role of this protein in heterochromatin clustering and karyosome maintenance. Germline mosaic analysis reveals that hat-trick is required for maintaining the dorso-ventral patterning of eggs by regulating the expression of Gurken. The increased incidence of double-strand breaks (DSBs), delayed DSB repair, defects in karyosome formation, altered Vasa mobility, and, consequently, misexpression and altered localization of Gurken in hat-trick mutant egg chambers clearly suggest a putative involvement of Hat-trick in the early stages of oogenesis. In addition, based on phenotypic observations in hat-trick mutant egg chambers, we speculate a substantial role of hat-trick in cystoblast proliferation, oocyte determination, nurse cell endoreplication, germ cell positioning, cyst encapsulation, and nurse cell migration. Our results demonstrate that hat-trick has profound pleiotropic functions during oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.
A sentiment analysis approach by identifying the subject object relationship

Today, Social media has become a part of our day to day life. The users provide their opinions and feedbacks on various aspects of their everyday life through various platforms such as social networks, E-Commerce, web blogs, etc., Therefore, these platforms become the richest sources of text input which are in unstructured format. We get the opinions of multiple users through these inputs. These opinions have a great impact on different participants in the respective platform. The inputs generated are huge in volume, so this data is difficult to analyze. The opinion of a text is determined by the semantics and the contextual information. In this paper, a novel model is put forward for analyzing a given sentence/paragraph which has multiple subjects, objects, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. A relationship is established between subject(s) with the respective object(s) based on the verb(s) and their adverb(s). This relation is useful for identifying the sentiment and the elements responsible for exhibiting the respective emotion. Adjective(s) are used to add more attributes to the respective subject/object. Based on this, the polarity for a given statement is analyzed.
Electrorheological, viscoelastic and creep-recovery behaviors of covalently bonded nanocube-TiO2/Poly(3-Octylthiophene) Colloidal Dispersions

In this study, nanocube-TiO2 and covalently bonded nanocube-TiO2/poly(3-octylthiophene), (P3OT) core/shell structured hybrid nano materials were dispersed in silicone oil (SO) and antisedimentation stabilities of these suspended particles were determined to be 31% and 65%, respectively. Polarizabilities (Δenanocube-TiO2 = 0.1925 and Δenanocube-TiO2/P3OT = 0.0920) and relaxation times (λnanocube-TiO2 = 3.4 × 10−4 s and λnanocube-TiO2/P3OT = 2.7 × 10−4 s) of dispersions were determined by dielectric measurements. Optical microscopy studies showed that these suspensions were highly polarizable under externally applied electric field strengths and classified as electrorheological (ER) active materials. The effects of volume fraction of dispersed phase, shear rate, shear stress, external electrical field strength, frequency, and temperature onto ER activities of these suspensions were studied. Yield stresses of nanocube-TiO2 and nanocube-TiO2/P3OT were determined to be 128 and 310 Pa, respectively. Viscoelastic studies revealed that the elastic characters of the particles were dominant to their viscous ones and elasticity moduli were determined to be 31.5 and 142 kPa, for nanocube-TiO2 and nanocube-TiO2/P3OT, respectively. Finally, the creep-recovery behaviors of these suspensions were identified and %recoveries of nanocube-TiO2/SO and nanocube-TiO2/P3OT/SO systems were determined to be 39 and 73%, respectively under τ = 5 Pa external shear stress. Because of the high polarizabilitiy, ER activity, vibration damping, and creep-recovery properties, the nanocube-TiO2/P3OT/SO suspension system was classified as smart material and suitable for potential vibration damping applications. POLYM. COMPOS. , 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
[Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in inactive adults, indoor cycling practitioners and amateur cyclists].

INTRODUCTION There is limited information referred to the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (AMD) and sports practice. OBJECTIVE To determinate the association of cycling practice and cycling training volume with the AMD and the influence of the participation in a high-demand cyclist event on the AMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A first evaluation of AMD in 785 (84 women) amateur cyclists (volume: ≥ 7 hours/week), 514 (224 women) indoor cycling practitioners (volume: 2-6 hours/week) and 718 (411 women) inactive adults was conducted in May coinciding with the participation of cyclists in a cycling event. A subsample of 359 cyclists and 148 inactive subjects agreed to be retested in November, far from the cycling event date. The MEDAS-14 questionnaire was used to assess the AMD and a self-designed questionnaire was used to assess the volume of training. RESULTS 40% of subjects showed high AMD. In both sexes, athletes showed higher AMD than inactive subjects, with the highest indexes for groups of cyclists (p < 0.001). The relationship between AMD and training volume was weak (men: r = 0.137, women: r = 0.173; p < 0.001). The AMD of cyclists decreased from May to November (p < 0.001) with no significant changes in inactive subjects (p = 0.535). CONCLUSIONS Cycling is associated to higher values of AMD with a limited influence of training volume and transient positive effects of participation in a cycling endurance event.
Dissimilar friction stir welding of Al-6061 to steel

Microstructure and mechanical properties of welded dissimilar materials by Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process depend mainly on several parameters such as tool rotational speed, feed rate, offset, and pin profile. In this study, the microstructure and strength properties of friction stir welded 6061-T6 aluminum alloy to ultra low carbon steel have been investigated using different traverse speeds, rotating speed and tool offset. Microstructures observations have been conducted by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The joint strength was evaluated on a tensile testing machine. X-ray diffraction has revealed the main phase inside the welded joint. The effect of traverse speed on the shear load of a joint has been found. We have found a relationship between microstructures and mechanical properties of welded joint.
UV-induzierte Herstellung monomodiger Wellenleiter in Polymeren

This thesis describes the development of a process for fabricating single mode polymer waveguides. By systematic analysis of process parameters using basic waveguide components, the feasibilities and limits of this approach are given. The process is based on the UV-induced modification of the dielectric properties of polymethylmethacrylate. Two approaches for the lateral structuring of waveguides are used. In the first approach the lateral structuring is achieved by conventional photolithographic technique using a Quartz/chrome mask. The second approach uses in the first step the LIGA-technique to pre-emboss the polymer substrate. The embossed ridge or a groove structure serve as masking structures for and ensuing flood exposure. For the investigation of the photochemical reactions dependant on environmental process conditions, spectroscopic methods are used. The influence of additives or copolymerisation on photochemistry are studied using different homo- and copolymers. It can be shown that the dominating photochemical reactions are independent of the material used. During photolysis in ambient air, photooxidation products can be detected, which increase the absorption of the waveguides in the third optical window at 1550 nm. The second optical window at 1310 nm remains unaffected. The oxidation products can be avoided by exposing in an inert gas atmosphere or vacuum. A new process variant is achieved with respect to smaller irradiation doses, higher index contrast and higher thermal stability of the waveguides. It can be shown that the addition of bromium leads to higher index contrasts and higher glass transition temperatures of the waveguide materials. For the development of an integrated optical sensor, which is based on immobilized living cells on the waveguide surface, first investigations for immobilization of living cells on the waveguide structures have been successfully carried out. Cell adhesion of L929 fibroblast on the photochemical modified region of test structures was demonstrated. Furthermore the structuring of waveguides by masking with pre-embossed polymer substrates and following flood exposure was demonstrated. The approach using LIGA-techniques provide the opportunity to integrate the waveguides in a micro-optical bench. For demonstration, waveguides with passive fibre alignment structures have been successfully fabricated. The approach presented here provides the opportunities to have a mass fabrication process using replication technologies of a microoptical bench with integrated singlemode waveguides.
EFFECTS OF GEOMETRY AND NUMBER OF HOLLOW ON THE PERFORMANCE OF RECTANGULAR FINS IN MICROCHANNEL HEAT SINKS

This article presents the study on the effects of number and geometry of hollow on the heat transfer through rectangular fins attached to microchannel heat sinks. 3-dimensional models of microchannel heat sink with various hollow configurations inside the fins are developed for the analysis. The physical models are built and meshed in GAMBIT 2.3. 26, and simulated by using the FVM-based CFD code, FLUENT 6.3. 26. Three hollow geometries such as circular, rectangular and trapezoidal are introduced inside the rectangular fins, and simulations are performed with single hollow followed by double hollow. The results are obtained in terms of velocity profile, pressure drop, temperature distributions on the heat sink structure and base, and the total thermal resistance. It is observed that, the 'hollowed' fins could yield better hydrodynamic and thermal performances compared to the solid fins. Moreover, increase of number of hollows shows further improvement in performance, while the change in hollow geometry has negligible influence. The present model is validated with the theoretical correlations of previous workers and found in good agreement.
Regulatory T-Cells: Potential Regulator of Tissue Repair and Regeneration

The identification of stem cells and growth factors as well as the development of biomaterials hold great promise for regenerative medicine applications. However, the therapeutic efficacy of regenerative therapies can be greatly influenced by the host immune system, which plays a pivotal role during tissue repair and regeneration. Therefore, understanding how the immune system modulates tissue healing is critical to design efficient regenerative strategies. While the innate immune system is well known to be involved in the tissue healing process, the adaptive immune system has recently emerged as a key player. T-cells, in particular, regulatory T-cells (Treg), have been shown to promote repair and regeneration of various organ systems. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which Treg participate in the repair and regeneration of skeletal and heart muscle, skin, lung, bone, and the central nervous system.
45 Gb/s Direct Modulation of Two-Section InP-on-Si DFB Laser Diodes

Two-section heterogeneously integrated InP-on-Si DFB laser diodes are demonstrated. In the modulation response, the relaxation oscillation frequency of 10 GHz is followed by a second resonance to achieve nearly 25-GHz 3-dB modulation bandwidth and 45-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ)-ON–OFF keying transmission.
Climate Change and Water Use Partitioning by Different Plant Functional Groups in a Grassland on the Tibetan Plateau

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is predicted to experience increases in air temperature, increases in snowfall, and decreases in monsoon rains; however, there is currently a paucity of data that examine the ecological responses to such climate changes. In this study, we examined the effects of increased air temperature and snowfall on: 1) water use partitioning by different plant functional groups, and 2) ecosystem CO2 fluxes throughout the growing season. At the individual plant scale, we used stable hydrogen isotopes (δD) to partition water use between shallow- and deep-rooted species. Prior to the arrival of summer precipitation (typically mid-July), snowmelt was the main water source in the soils. During this time, shallow and deep-rooted species partitioned water use by accessing water from shallow and deep soils, respectively. However, once the monsoon rains arrived, all plants used rainwater from the upper soils as the main water source. Snow addition did not result in increased snowmelt use throughout the growing season; instead, snowmelt water was pushed down into deeper soils when the rains arrived. At the larger plot scale, CO2 flux measurements demonstrated that rain was the main driver for net ecosystem productivity (NEP). NEP rates were low during June and July and reached a maximum during the monsoon season in August. Warming decreased NEP through a reduction in gross primary productivity (GPP), and snow additions did not mitigate the negative effects of warming by increasing NEP or GPP. Both the isotope and CO2 flux results suggest that rain drives productivity in the Nam Tso region on the TP. This also suggests that the effects of warming-induced drought on the TP may not be mitigated by increased snowfall. Further decreases in summer monsoon rains may affect ecosystem productivity, with large implications for livestock-based livelihoods.
Home interventions are effective at decreasing indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations.

UNLABELLED Nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), a by-product of combustion produced by indoor gas appliances such as cooking stoves, is associated with respiratory symptoms in those with obstructive airways disease. We conducted a three-armed randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing indoor NO2 concentrations in homes with unvented gas stoves: (i) replacement of existing gas stove with electric stove; (ii) installation of ventilation hood over existing gas stove; and (iii) placement of air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and carbon filters. Home inspection and NO2 monitoring were conducted at 1 week pre-intervention and at 1 week and 3 months post-intervention. Stove replacement resulted in a 51% and 42% decrease in median NO2 concentration at 3 months of follow-up in the kitchen and bedroom, respectively (P = 0.01, P = 0.01); air purifier placement resulted in an immediate decrease in median NO2 concentration in the kitchen (27%, P < 0.01) and bedroom (22%, P = 0.02), but at 3 months, a significant reduction was seen only in the kitchen (20%, P = 0.05). NO2 concentrations in the kitchen and bedroom did not significantly change following ventilation hood installation. Replacing unvented gas stoves with electric stoves or placement of air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters can decrease indoor NO2 concentrations in urban homes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Several combustion sources unique to the residential indoor environment, including gas stoves, produce nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and higher NO2 concentrations, are associated with worse respiratory morbidity in people with obstructive lung disease. A handful of studies have modified the indoor environment by replacing unvented gas heaters; this study, to our knowledge, is the first randomized study to target unvented gas stoves. The results of this study show that simple home interventions, including replacement of an unvented gas stove with an electric stove or placement of HEPA air purifiers with carbon filters, can significantly decrease indoor NO2 concentrations.
Laminin signals initiate the reciprocal loop that informs breast-specific gene expression and homeostasis by activating NO, p53 and microRNAs

How mammalian tissues maintain their architecture and tissue-specificity is poorly understood. Previously, we documented both the indispensable role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, laminin-111 (LN1), in the formation of normal breast acini, and the phenotypic reversion of cancer cells to acini-like structures in 3-dimensional (3D) gels with inhibitors of oncogenic pathways. Here, we asked how laminin (LN) proteins integrate the signaling pathways necessary for morphogenesis. We report a surprising reciprocal circuitry comprising positive players: laminin-5 (LN5), nitric oxide (NO), p53, HOXD10 and three microRNAs (miRNAs) — that are involved in the formation of mammary acini in 3D. Significantly, cancer cells on either 2-dimensional (2D) or 3D and non-malignant cells on 2D plastic do not produce NO and upregulate negative players: NFκB, EIF5A2, SCA1 and MMP-9 — that disrupt the network. Introducing exogenous NO, LN5 or individual miRNAs to cancer cells reintegrates these pathways and induces phenotypic reversion in 3D. These findings uncover the essential elements of breast epithelial architecture, where the balance between positive- and negative-players leads to homeostasis.
Widespread Expression of Erythropoietin Receptor in Brain and Its Induction by Injury

Erythropoietin (EPO) exerts potent neuroprotective, neuroregenerative and procognitive functions. However, unequivocal demonstration of erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) expression in brain cells has remained difficult since previously available anti-EPOR antibodies (EPOR-AB) were unspecific. We report here a new, highly specific, polyclonal rabbit EPOR-AB directed against different epitopes in the cytoplasmic tail of human and murine EPOR and its characterization by mass spectrometric analysis of immunoprecipitated endogenous EPOR, Western blotting, immunostaining and flow cytometry. Among others, we applied genetic strategies including overexpression, Lentivirus-mediated conditional knockout of EpoR and tagged proteins, both on cultured cells and tissue sections, as well as intracortical implantation of EPOR-transduced cells to verify specificity. We show examples of EPOR expression in neurons, oligodendroglia, astrocytes and microglia. Employing this new EPOR-AB with double-labeling strategies, we demonstrate membrane expression of EPOR as well as its localization in intracellular compartments such as the Golgi apparatus. Moreover, we show injury-induced expression of EPOR. In mice, a stereotactically applied stab wound to the motor cortex leads to distinct EpoR expression by reactive GFAP-expressing cells in the lesion vicinity. In a patient suffering from epilepsy, neurons and oligodendrocytes of the hippocampus strongly express EPOR. To conclude, this new analytical tool will allow neuroscientists to pinpoint EPOR expression in cells of the nervous system and to better understand its role in healthy conditions, including brain development, as well as under pathological circumstances, such as upregulation upon distress and injury.
Noninvasive diagnosis of seed viability using infrared thermography

Recent advances in the noninvasive analyses of plant metabolism include stress imaging techniques, mainly developed for vegetative tissues. We explored if infrared thermography can be used to predict whether a quiescent seed will germinate or die upon water uptake. Thermal profiles of viable, aged, and dead Pisum sativum seeds were recorded, and image analysis of 22,000 images per individual seed showed that infrared thermography can detect imbibition- and germination-associated biophysical and biochemical changes. These “thermal fingerprints” vary with viability in this species and in Triticum aestivum and Brassica napus seeds. Thermogenesis of the small individual B. napus seeds was at the limit of the technology. We developed a computer model of “virtual pea seeds,” that uses Monte Carlo simulation, based on the heat production of major seed storage compounds to unravel physico-chemical processes of thermogenesis. The simulation suggests that the cooling that dominates the early thermal profiles results from the dissolution of low molecular-weight carbohydrates. Moreover, the kinetics of the production of such “cooling” compounds over the following 100 h is dependent on seed viability. We also developed a deterministic tool that predicts in the first 3 hours of water uptake, when seeds can be redried and stored again, whether or not a pea seed will germinate. We believe that the early separation of individual, ungerminated seeds (live, aged, or dead) before destructive germination assessment creates unique opportunities for integrative studies on cell death, differentiation, and development.
Successes and failures in human tuberculosis vaccine development

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In 2016, the WHO estimated 10.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths, making this disease the leading cause of death by an infectious agent. The current and projected TB situation necessitates the development of new vaccines with improved attributes compared to the traditional BCG method. Areas covered: In this review, the authors describe the most promising candidate vaccines against TB and discuss additional key elements in vaccine development, such as animal models, new adjuvants and immunization routes and new strategies for the identification of candidate vaccines. Expert opinion: At present, around 13 candidate vaccines for TB are in the clinical phase of evaluation; however, there is still no substitute for the BCG vaccine. One major impediment to developing an effective vaccine is our lack of understanding of several of the mechanisms associated with infection and the immune response against TB. However, the recent implementation of an entirely new set of technological advances will facilitate the proposal of new candidates. Finally, development of a new vaccine will require a major coordination of effort in order to achieve its effective administration to the people most in need of it.