Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Information content of aerosol retrievals in the sunglint region

We exploit quantitative metrics to investigate the information content in retrievals of atmospheric aerosol parameters (with a focus on single‐scattering albedo), contained in multi‐angle and multi‐spectral measurements with sufficient dynamical range in the sunglint region. The simulations are performed for two classes of maritime aerosols with optical and microphysical properties compiled from measurements of the Aerosol Robotic Network. The information content is assessed using the inverse formalism and is compared to that deriving from observations not affected by sunglint. We find that there indeed is additional information in measurements containing sunglint, not just for single‐scattering albedo, but also for aerosol optical thickness and the complex refractive index of the fine aerosol size mode, although the amount of additional information varies with aerosol type.
Relaxed look-ahead pipelined nonlinear channel equalizer

This paper presents a pipelined equalizer for nonlinear channel environment using the relaxed look ahead technique. Nonlinear channel is a known problem that can be treated by artificial neural network (ANN). But, the recursive nature of the adaptation algorithms found in ANN limits their operation speed and high throughput applications require pipelining. The standard look ahead technique is used to pipeline recursive type algorithms and the result often presents a large amount of hardware due to pipelining. In order to minimize this hardware, the relaxed look-ahead technique uses approximations of the look-ahead technique. The combination of these approximations in conjunction with parameter variation can result in a large variety of architectures. This paper will present the relaxed look-ahead technique in a general form and its application to the backpropagation algorithm found in ANN. Simulation results with linear and nonlinear channels will be shown for different pipeline depth.
Weak localization of electromagnetic waves and radar polarimetry of Saturn's rings

We use a state-of-the-art physics-based model of electromagnetic scattering to analyse average circular polarization ratios measured for the A and B rings of Saturn at a wavelength of 12.6 cm. This model is directly based on the Maxwell equations and accounts for the effects of polarization, multiple scattering, weak localization of electromagnetic waves and ring particle non-sphericity. Our analysis is based on the assumption that the observed polarization ratios are accurate, mutually consistent and show a quasi-linear dependence on the opening angle. Also, we assume that the ring system is not strongly stratified in the vertical direction. Our numerical simulations rule out the model of spherical ring particles, favour the model of ring bodies in the form of nearly spherical particles with small-scale surface roughness and rule out non-spherical particles with aspect ratios significantly exceeding 1.2. They also favour particles with effective radii in the range 4–10 cm and definitely rule out effective radii significantly smaller than 4 cm. Furthermore, they seem to rule out effective radii significantly >10 cm. The retrieved ring optical thickness values are in the range 2–3 or even larger. If the rings do have a wake-like horizontal structure, as has been recently suggested, then these optical thickness values should be attributed to an average wake rather than to the optical thickness averaged over the entire horizontal extent of the rings.
HYDROLOGIC RESPONSE OF STREAMS RESTORED WITH CHECK DAMS IN THE CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS , ARIZONA

In this study, hydrological processes are evaluated to determine impacts of stream restoration in the West Turkey Creek, Chiricahua Mountains, southeast Arizona, during a summer-monsoon season (June–October of 2013). A paired-watershed approach was used to analyze the effectiveness of check dams to mitigate high flows and impact long-term maintenance of hydrologic function. One watershed had been extensively altered by the installation of numerous small check dams over the past 30 years, and the other was untreated (control). We modified and installed a new stream-gauging mechanism developed for remote areas, to compare the water balance and calculate rainfall–runoff ratios. Results show that even 30 years after installation, most of the check dams were still functional. The watershed treated with check dams has a lower runoff response to precipitation compared with the untreated, most notably in measurements of peak flow. Concerns that downstream flows would be reduced in the treated watershed, due to storage of water behind upstream check dams, were not realized; instead, flow volumes were actually higher overall in the treated stream, even though peak flows were dampened. We surmise that check dams are a useful management tool for reducing flow velocities associated with erosion and degradation and posit they can increase baseflow in aridlands. © 2015 The Authors. River Research and Applications published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. key words: check dams; restoration; semi-arid watersheds; water budget; runoff ratio Received 16 November 2014; Revised 30 January 2015; Accepted 10 February 2015
Understanding Viral dsRNA-Mediated Innate Immune Responses at the Cellular Level Using a Rainbow Trout Model

Viruses across genome types produce long dsRNA molecules during replication [viral (v-) dsRNA]. dsRNA is a potent signaling molecule and inducer of type I interferon (IFN), leading to the production of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), and a protective antiviral state within the cell. Research on dsRNA-induced immune responses has relied heavily on a commercially available, and biologically irrelevant dsRNA, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Alternatively, dsRNA can be produced by in vitro transcription (ivt-) dsRNA, with a defined sequence and length. We hypothesized that ivt-dsRNA, containing legitimate viral sequence and length, would be a more appropriate proxy for v-dsRNA, compared with poly I:C. This is the first study to investigate the effects of v-dsRNA on the innate antiviral response and to compare v-dsRNA to ivt-dsRNA-induced responses in fish cells, specifically rainbow trout. Previously, class A scavenger receptors (SR-As) were found to be surface receptors for poly I:C in rainbow trout cells. In this study, ivt-dsRNA binding was blocked by poly I:C and v-dsRNA, as well as SR-A competitive ligands, suggesting all three dsRNA molecules are recognized by SR-As. Downstream innate antiviral effects were determined by measuring IFN and ISG transcript levels using qRT-PCR and antiviral assays. Similar to what has been shown previously with ivt-dsRNA, v-dsRNA was able to induce IFN and ISG transcript production between 3 and 24 h, and its effects were length dependent (i.e., longer v-dsRNA produced a stronger response). Interestingly, when v-dsRNA and ivt-dsRNA were length and sequence matched both molecules induced statistically similar IFN and ISG transcript levels, which resulted in similar antiviral states against two aquatic viruses. To pursue sequence effects further, three ivt-dsRNA molecules of the same length but different sequences (including host and viral sequences) were tested for their ability to induce IFN/ISG transcripts and an antiviral state. All three induced responses similarly. This study is the first of its kind to look at the effects v-dsRNA in fish cells as well as to compare ivt-dsRNA to v-dsRNA, and suggests that ivt-dsRNA may be a good surrogate for v-dsRNA in the study of dsRNA-induced responses and potential future antiviral therapies.
Caveolin‐1 limits the contribution of BK(Ca) channel to EDHF‐mediated arteriolar dilation

Large conductance Ca2+‐activated potassium channels (BKCa) channels are targeted to caveolae microdomains, where Cav‐1 interacts with BK(Ca) channels. The functional consequence of this interaction and its impact on EDHF‐mediated arteriolar dilation is not known. Thus, in this study we set out to examine the role of Cav‐1 in modulating the contribution of BK(Ca) channels to EDHF‐mediated arteriolar dilations. In isolated, pressurized (80 mmHg) gracilis muscle arterioles (≈ 100 μm) of Cav‐1 knockout mice, ACh‐induced, EDHF‐mediated dilations were enhanced (88±5 vs. 79±4 %) and were significantly reduced by selective BK(Ca) channel inhibitor, iberiotoxin (IBTX) (50±6 %), while IBTX had no effect on EDHF‐mediated dilations in wild type mice (75±7 %). Dilations to selective BK(Ca) opener, NS‐1619 were augmented in Cav‐1 knockout mice (58±6 % vs. 26±3 %). Moreover, in control arterioles, disruption of caveolae with methyl‐ß‐cyclodextrin augmented IBTX sensitive, ACh‐induced (29±7 % dilation in the presence of IBTX), and also NS‐1619‐evoked dilations (55±10 %). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a co‐localization of Cav‐1 and BK(Ca) channels in the smooth muscle layer of control arterioles. Thus, we concluded that under control conditions an interaction between Cav‐1 and BK(Ca) channel limits the contribution of BK(Ca) channel to EDHF‐mediated arteriolar dilation. (AHA 0735540T)
Same Same but Different. Different Trigeminal Chemoreceptors Share the Same Central Pathway

Intranasal trigeminal sensations are important in everyday life of human beings, as they play a governing role in protecting the airways from harm. Trigeminal sensations arise from the binding of a ligand to various sub-types of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels located on mucosal branches of the trigeminal nerve. Which underlying neural networks are involved in the processing of various trigeminal inputs is still unknown. To target this unresolved question fourteen healthy human subjects were investigated by completing three functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning sessions during which three trigeminal substances, activating varying sub-types of chemoreceptors and evoking different sensations in the nose were presented: CO2, menthol and cinnamaldehyde. We identified similar functional networks responding to all stimuli: an olfactory network, a somatosensory network and an integrative network. The processing pathway of all three stimulants was represented by the same functional networks, although CO2 evokes painful but virtually odorless sensations, and the two other stimulants, menthol and cinnamaldehyde are perceived as mostly non painful with a clear olfactory percept. Therefore, our results suggest a common central processing pathway for trigeminal information regardless of the trigeminal chemoreceptor and sensation type.
Ribosome maturation by the endoribonuclease YbeY stabilizes a type 3 secretion system transcript required for virulence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a significant human pathogen that colonizes humans and its reservoir host, cattle. Colonization requires the expression of a type 3 secretion (T3S) system that injects a mixture of effector proteins into host cells to promote bacterial attachment and disease progression. The T3S system is tightly regulated by a complex network of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators. Using transposon mutagenesis, here we identified the ybeZYX-Int operon as being required for normal T3S levels. Deletion analyses localized the regulation to the endoribonuclease YbeY, previously linked to 16S rRNA maturation and small RNA (sRNA) function. Loss of ybeY in EHEC had pleiotropic effects on EHEC cells, including reduced motility and growth and cold sensitivity. Using UV cross-linking and RNA-Seq (CRAC) analysis, we identified YbeY-binding sites throughout the transcriptome and discovered specific binding of YbeY to the “neck” and “beak” regions of 16S rRNA but identified no significant association of YbeY with sRNA, suggesting that YbeY modulates T3S by depleting mature ribosomes. In E. coli, translation is strongly linked to mRNA stabilization, and subinhibitory concentrations of the translation-initiation inhibitor kasugamycin provoked rapid degradation of a polycistronic mRNA encoding needle filament and needle tip proteins of the T3S system. We conclude that T3S is particularly sensitive to depletion of initiating ribosomes, explaining the inhibition of T3S in the ΔybeY strain. Accessory virulence transcripts may be preferentially degraded in cells with reduced translational capacity, potentially reflecting prioritization in protein production.
Non-invasive real-time in-vivo monitoring of insulin absorption from subcutaneous tissues

A non-invasive measuring system for assessing in-vivo and in real time the individual rate of absorption of insulin from subcutaneous tissue has been developed at University of Naples Federico II [1]. In this paper, the method is proved to be a sound reference for insulin therapy. In particular, the proposed measurement system allows to assess if the insulin injected in subcutis is actually flowing into patients bloodstream in due course to achieve the treatment goal. For proving this principle, the previously prototyped and validated portable measuring medical device (DUSM, Drug Under Skin Meter) was revised and an experimental campaign was carried out in order to prove the suitability for insulin therapy.
Dynamic State Estimation and Anomaly Detection in Smart Grid Using Point-Based Gaussian Approximation Filtering

We consider the problem of dynamic state estimation and anomaly detection in smart grid, which is a typical cyber-physical system that is described by a nonlinear model. The state estimation problem is solved by the point-based Gaussian approximation filter, which incorporates different quadrature rules to compute the posteriors. This filtering method is compared with its traditional counterpart - the extended Kalman filter - and much higher tracking accuracy is achieved as expected. The point-based Gaussian approximation filter is then combined with the widely-used anomaly processing method to detect the bad measurement and sudden load change in smart grid. The innovation vector, which is used in the update step of filtering, is first examined for the presence of anomalies, and then processed to perform skewness-test for anomaly discrimination.
Hydrologic and Erosion Responses of Sagebrush Steppe Following Juniper Encroachment, Wildfire, and Tree Cutting

Abstract Extensive woodland expansion in the Great Basin has generated concern regarding ecological impacts of tree encroachment on sagebrush rangelands and strategies for restoring sagebrush steppe. This study used rainfall (0.5 m2 and 13 m2 scales) and concentrated flow simulations and measures of vegetation, ground cover, and soils to investigate hydrologic and erosion impacts of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) encroachment into sagebrush steppe and to evaluate short-term effects of burning and tree cutting on runoff and erosion responses. The overall effects of tree encroachment were a reduction in understory vegetation and formation of highly erodible, bare intercanopy between trees. Runoff and erosion from high-intensity rainfall (102 mm · h−1, 13 m2 plots) were generally low from unburned areas underneath tree canopies (13 mm and 48 g · m−2) and were higher from the unburned intercanopy (43 mm and 272 g · m−2). Intercanopy erosion increased linearly with runoff and exponentially where bare ground exceeded 60%. Erosion from simulated concentrated flow was 15- to 25-fold greater from the unburned intercanopy than unburned tree canopy areas. Severe burning amplified erosion from tree canopy plots by a factor of 20 but had a favorable effect on concentrated flow erosion from the intercanopy. Two years postfire, erosion remained 20-fold greater on burned than unburned tree plots, but concentrated flow erosion from the intercanopy (76% of study area) was reduced by herbaceous recruitment. The results indicate burning may amplify runoff and erosion immediately postfire. However, we infer burning that sustains residual understory cover and stimulates vegetation productivity may provide long-term reduction of soil loss relative to woodland persistence. Simply placing cut-downed trees into the unburned intercanopy had minimal immediate impact on infiltration and soil loss. Results suggest cut-tree treatments should focus on establishing tree debris contact with the soil surface if treatments are expected to reduce short-term soil loss during the postcut understory recruitment period.
Experiments in electron microscopy: from metals to nerves

Electron microscopy has advanced remarkably as a tool for biological structure research since the development of methods to examine radiation-sensitive unstained specimens and the introduction of cryo-techniques. Structures of biological molecules at near-atomic resolution can now be obtained from images of single particles as well as crystalline arrays. It has also become possible to analyze structures of molecules in their functional context, i.e. in their natural membrane or cellular setting, and in an ionic environment like that in living tissue. Electron microscopy is thus opening ways to answer definitively questions about physiological mechanisms. Here I recall a number of experiments contributing to, and benefiting from the technical advances that have taken place. I begin—in the spirit of this crystallography series—with some biographical background, and then sketch the path to an analysis by time-resolved microscopy of the opening mechanism of an ion channel (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor). This analysis illustrates how electron imaging can be combined with freeze-trapping to illuminate a transient biological event: in our case, chemical-to-electrical transduction at the nerve-muscle synapse.
Ieee Transactions on Wireless Communications, Accepted for Publication 1 Mse-based Transceiver Designs for the Mimo Interference Channel

—Interference alignment (IA) has evolved as a powerful technique in the information theoretic framework for achieving the optimal degrees of freedom of interference channel. In practical systems, the design of specific interference alignment schemes is subject to various criteria and constraints. In this paper, we propose novel transceiver schemes for the MIMO interference channel based on the mean square error (MSE) criterion. Our objective is to optimize the system performance under a given and feasible degree of freedom. Both the total MSE and the maximum per-user MSE are chosen to be the objective functions to minimize. We show that the joint design of transmit precoding matrices and receiving filter matrices with both objectives can be realized through efficient iterative algorithms. The convergence of the proposed algorithms is proven as well. Simulation results show that the proposed schemes out-perform the existing IA schemes in terms of BER performance. Considering the imperfection of channel state information (CSI), we also extend the MSE-based transceiver schemes for the MIMO interference channel with CSI estimation error. The robustness of the proposed algorithms is confirmed by simulations.
Topic Repetition in Conversations on Different Days as a Sign of Dementia

Detecting early signs of dementia in everyday situations becomes more and more important in a rapidly aging society. Language dysfunctions are recognized as the prominent signs of dementia. Previous computational studies characterized these language dysfunctions by using acoustic and linguistic features for detecting dementia. However, they mainly investigated language dysfunctions collected from patients during neuropsychological tests. Language dysfunctions observed during regular conversations in everyday situations received little attention. One of the dysfunctions associated with dementia which is frequently observed in regular conversations is the repetition of a topic on different days. In this study, we propose a feature to characterize topic repetition in conversations on different days. We used conversational data obtained from a daily monitoring service of eight elderly people, two of whom had dementia. Through the analysis of topic extraction with latent Dirichlet allocation, we found that the frequency of topic repetition was significantly higher in people with dementia than in the control group. The results suggest that our proposed feature for identifying topic repetition in regular conversations on different days might be used for detecting dementia.
Nonemptiness problems of plane square tiling with two colors

This investigation studies nonemptiness problems of plane square tiling. In the edge coloring (or Wang tiles) of a plane, unit squares with colored edges of p colors are arranged side by side such that adjacent tiles have the same colors. Given a set of Wang tiles B, the nonemptiness problem is to determine whether or not Σ(B) ≠ 0, where Σ(B) is the set of all global patterns on ℤ 2 that can be constructed from the Wang tiles in B. When p > 5, the problem is well known to be undecidable. This work proves that when p = 2, the problem is decidable. P(B) is the set of all periodic patterns on ℤ 2 that can be generated by B. If P(B) ≠ 0, then B has a subset B' of minimal cycle generator such that P(B') ≠ 0 and P(B") = 0 for B" ⊂ ≠ B'. This study demonstrates that the set of all minimal cycle generators C(2) contains 38 elements. N(2) is the set of all maximal noncycle generators: if B ∈ N(2), then P(B) = 0 and B ⊃ ≠ B implies P(B) ≠ O. N(2) has eight elements. That Σ (B) = 0 for any B ∈ N(2) is proven, implying that if Σ (B) ≠ 0, then P(B) ≠ 0. The problem is decidable for p = 2: Σ(B) ≠ 0 if and only if B has a subset of minimal cycle generators. The approach can be applied to corner coloring with a slight modification, and similar results hold.
Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Decorated Graphene for Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds

It has been found that two-dimensional materials, such as graphene, can be used as remarkable gas detection platforms as even minimal chemical interactions can lead to distinct changes in electrical conductivity. In this work, epitaxially grown graphene was decorated with iron oxide nanoparticles for sensor performance tuning. This hybrid surface was used as a sensing layer to detect formaldehyde and benzene at concentrations of relevance in air quality monitoring (low parts per billion). Moreover, the time constants could be drastically reduced using a derivative sensor signal readout, allowing detection at the sampling rates desired for air quality monitoring applications.
A Comparative Study on Frequent Link Disconnection problems in VANETs

Vehicular Ad-hoc network is an emerging technology, which takes vehicles as nodes and forms a wireless network. The topology of such network changes rapidly as the nodes are in continuous motion with different speeds, leading to some serious issues that must be handled correctly in order to make VANETs reliable. One of the main problems associated with VANETs is Frequent Link Disconnection. There have been many designed for VANETs but Rapid change in topology has made it really problematic to design a routing protocol for VANETs that is efficient and effective in all terms. In this paper, we compared the four major VANET routing protocols, GPGR, GPSR, GPCR & HarpiaGrid in terms of Frequent Link Breakage with respect to velocity of nodes and the number of nodes. The results have proved, HarpiaGrid and GPGR are the better routing protocols than other two. If overhead cost is ignored, HarpiaGrid gives the outstanding performance