Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multistage chemical etching for high-precision frequency adjustment in ultrahigh-frequency fundamental quartz resonators

Chemical etching to precisely adjust and to make uniform the thicknesses of vibrating areas of multiple resonators in a single wafer was applied to inverted-mesa quartz resonators exciting an ultrahigh-frequency fundamental thickness vibration. The process consisted of five stages, combining high-rate etching for high productivity and low-rate etching for high-precision adjustment. By using this process, the resonance frequencies of 41 resonators in the single wafer were adjusted to 620 /spl plusmn/ 1.5 MHz, which corresponds to vibrating area thicknesses of 2.2 /spl mu/m /spl plusmn/ 6 nm. In the temperature-frequency characteristics of these resonators in the single wafer, the difference between the maximum first-order temperature coefficient and the minimum first-order temperature coefficient was equivalent to a cut angle change of two arcminutes. In addition, vibrating areas with an arithmetic mean surface roughness of 0.17 nm on the concave side were produced by this multistage etching.
Endogenous adenosine differentially modulates 5-hydroxytryptamine release from a human enterochromaffin cell model.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The aim was to determine whether adenosine receptors modulate cAMP, intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release in human carcinoid BON cells. METHODS Adenosine receptor (R) mRNA, proteins, and function were identified by Western blots, immunofluorescent labeling, Fluo-4/AM [Ca(2+)](i) imaging, and pharmacologic/physiologic techniques. RESULTS A1, A2, and A3Rs were present in BON cells and carcinoid tumors. Baseline 5-HT levels increased with adenosine deaminase, activation of A2Rs, and inhibition of A3Rs, whereas A3R activation decreased 5-HT. A2R antagonists or blockade of adenosine reuptake that elevates extracellular adenosine reduced mechanically evoked 5-HT release. In single BON cells, touch elevated [Ca(2+)](i) responses were augmented by adenosine deaminase, A1, and A3R antagonists. CONCLUSIONS Tonic or mechanically evoked release of endogenous adenosine is a critical determinant of differential activation of adenosine receptors and may have important implications for gut mechanosensory reflexes.
Performance Analysis of Cache Aided Hybrid mmWave & sub-6 GHz Massive MIMO Networks

Caching popular contents at small base stations (BSs) is a promising solution to alleviate the increasing backhaul congestion in dense heterogeneous cellular networks. Accordingly, this paper considers a tier of cache-enabled millimeter wave small BSs that coexists with a tier of massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) macro BS operating at sub-6 GHz bands, wherein we analyze two different user association strategies, namely content-based and location-based with respect to the transmission latency and average success probability of file delivery. Numerical results demonstrate that increasing the cache capacity can almost surely improve the network performance but with certain trade-offs, which are analysed in terms of user association strategies, various caching placement schemes, BS density, cache size, content popularity, blockages in the mmWave tier, and pilot contamination due to channel estimation in the massive MIMO tier.
Fault-tolerant broadcasting and gossiping in communication networks

Broadcasting and gossiping are fundamental tasks in network communication. In broadcasting, or oneto-all communication, information originally held in one node of the network (called the source) must be transmitted to all other nodes. In gossiping, or all-to-all communication, every node holds a message which has to be transmitted to all other nodes. As communication networks grow in size, they become increasingly vulnerable to component failures. Thus, capabilities for fault-tolerant broadcasting and gossiping gain importance. The present paper is a survey of the fast-growing area of research investigating these capabilities. We focus on two most important efficiency measures of broadcasting and gossiping algorithms: running time and number of elementary transmissions required by the communication process. We emphasize the unlfying thread in most results from the research in fault-tolerant communication: the trade-offs between efficiency of communication schemes and their fault-tolerance. 0 7996 John Mey & Sons, Inc.
Polyaniline nanosheet derived B/N co-doped carbon nanosheets as efficient metal-free catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

A novel B/N co-doped porous carbon nanosheet with a high heteroatom doping content has been successfully prepared. Using amino-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) as the template, oxidation polymerization of aniline, 3-aminophenylboronic acid, and m-phenylenediamine generates GO-based polyaniline nanosheets functionalized with boronic acid (GO-CBP). After high-temperature treatment, graphene-based B/N co-doped carbon nanosheets (G-CBP) are obtained, which show a typical 2D morphology with a thickness of ∼20 nm. After CO2 activation at 1000 °C, the obtained porous carbon nanosheets (G-CBP-a) have a thickness of ∼17 nm and a high specific surface area of 363 m2 g−1. Benefiting from its high surface area, unique 2D sheet nanostructure, and high heteroatom-doping contents (5.4% B and 5.3% N), G-CBP-a exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for the oxygen reduction reaction under alkaline conditions (0.1 M KOH), with a low half-wave potential (−0.27 V for G-CBP-a versus −0.18 V for Pt/C), a dominant four-electron transfer mechanism (n = 3.78 at −0.45 V), and excellent methanol tolerance and durability (10% current decrease after 20 000 s operation), as well as a high diffusion-limiting current density (JL = −4.5 mA cm−2).
Harnessing path diversity for laser control in data center optical networks

Optical interconnects are already the dominant technology in large-scale datacenter networks. Unfortunately, the high optical loss of many optical components, coupled with the low efficiency of laser sources, result in high aggregate power requirements for the thousands of optical transceivers that such networks employ. As optical interconnects stay always on, even during periods of system inactivity, most of this power is wasted. Ideally we would like to turn off the transceivers when a network link is idle (i.e., “power gate” the lasers), and turn them back on right before the next transmission. The danger with this approach is that it may expose the laser turn-on delay and lead to higher network latency. However, data center networks typically employ network topologies with path diversity and facilitate multiple paths for each source-destination pair. Based on this observation, we propose an optical network architecture where redundant paths are turned off when the extra bandwidth they provide is not needed, and they turn back on when traffic increases beyond a high watermark to decongest the network. Maintaining full connectivity removes the laser turn-on latency from the critical path and results in minimal performance degradation, while at the same time power-gating the lasers saves 60% of the laser power on average on a variety of data center traffic scenarios.
Process-Consistency-Performance Relationships for Additively Printed Z-axis Interconnects in Multilayer Circuits

In this paper, the correlation of the mechanical properties of aerosol jet printed multi-layer substrates and z-axis interconnects with process parameters has been studied. The print process-parameters of the aerosol-jet printed traces have been correlated to the performance and properties of the printed lines. The shear load to failure, and resistivity of the printed line have been studied to quantify the performance of the printed lines. Process parameters studied include sheath flow rate, ink flow rate, stage speed, standoff height, chiller temperature, platen temperature. Better understanding of the effect of each process parameter in the printed lines will allow users to select appropriate process parameters for design functional performance. In addition, the development of process-property relationships will provide visibility into the critical parameters, which require added level of attention for process-control. Process parameter drift over a long production run may be important for a high-volume production environment. The effect on the print process may be in the form of line consistency, and resistance – both of which have been quantified in this study through the quantification of process-capability for z-axis interconnects. Data is presented on 2-layer and 5-layer substrates.
Design of Maximum Efficiency Tracking Control Scheme for Closed-Loop Wireless Power Charging System Employing Series Resonant Tank

This paper presents a maximum efficiency tracking control scheme for a closed-loop wireless power charging (WPC) system for wireless charging of mobile devices. Generally, wireless charging systems need a precise output voltage and current with the highest possible efficiency. In an open-loop system, output voltage and efficiency depend strongly on the coupling coefficient and load condition. Alternatively, a closed-loop WPC system has a constant output voltage against coupling and load variations. Many studies have been carried out regarding closed-loop systems. However, those previous studies have the drawback of efficiency degradation. In this paper, we propose a maximum efficiency tracking control scheme to achieve the highest possible efficiency. Therefore, the proposed WPC system satisfies both the requirements of a constant output voltage and high efficiency. The proposed control scheme determines the current of the transmitter based on the data received by the receiver via Bluetooth. For validation, the proposed WPC system was implemented at 6.78 MHz using loosely coupled series-series resonant coils, and we verified that the proposed system can track the maximum efficiency while maintaining a constant output voltage.
Communication and E¢ ciency in Auctions

We study auctions under restricted communication. Bidders have valuations in a compact interval, but can only report one of a …nite number of messages. We provide a characterization of welfare as well as revenue maximizing auctions in the symmetric independent private values case when bidders report simultaneously. We show that the seller choosing how to allocate the …xed communication capacity allocates it evenly over the bidders. The optimal auction is asymmetric, contrasting the symmetry of optimal auctions when communication is not restricted. The analysis is extended to the case of multiple identical objects and single unit demand. Finally, we characterize welfare maximizing auctions under restricted communication when two bidders report sequentially and there are only two periods of reporting. These auctions can be thought of as a two step procedure. In the …rst step, the …rst bidder chooses a price from a � �
Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Three Dairy Herds in Southwest Germany

The objective of this study was to analyse the occurrence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in three dairy herds in the southwest of Germany that had experienced individual cases of clinical and subclinical mastitis associated with MRSA. The herds were identified by the detection of MRSA during routine resistance testing of mastitis pathogens. All quarters of all cows in the herds that were positive on California Mastitis Test were sampled for bacteriological analysis on two occasions. Bulk tank milk samples were also tested. Furthermore, nasal swabs were collected from people working on the farms and from cattle. Environmental samples were collected from associated pig holdings. Isolates were characterized using spa‐typing and testing for antimicrobial resistance. Our results revealed a substantial spread of MRSA in the three dairy herds. In the first of the two investigations carried out on all cows in the three herds, milk samples of 5.1–16.7% of dairy cows were found positive for MRSA. The respective proportions in the second herd level investigation were 1.4–10.0%. Quarters harbouring MRSA had higher somatic cell counts than quarters that were negative on culture. Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus were also detected in nasal swabs of staff (7/9), cows (7/15) and calves (4/7), bulk tank milk samples (3/3) and environmental samples from pig premises (4/5) on the farm. Herds B and C had no contact to herd A. However, in all three herds MRSA of spa‐type t011 were detected in milk samples. Results show that MRSA of spa‐type t011 is a problem in dairy farms that needs urgent attention.
Trajectories of impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Insights from the Pooled Resource Open‐Access ALS Clinical Trials cohort

Introduction: Rate of decline of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (ALSFRS‐R) score is a common outcome measure and a powerful predictor of mortality in ALS. Methods: Observed rate of decline (postslope) of ALSFRS‐R, its linearity, and its relationship to decline at first visit (preslope) were examined in the Pooled Resource Open‐Access ALS Clinical Trials cohort by using longitudinal mixed effects models. Results: Mean ALSFRS‐R postslope in 3,367 patients was −0.99 points/month. Preslope and postslope were correlated and had powerful effects on survival. ALSFRS‐R trajectories were slightly accelerated overall, but slope and direction/degree of curvature varied. Subscore decline was sequential by site of onset. Respiratory subscore decline was the least steep. Discussion: Variable curvilinearity of ALSFRS‐R trajectories confounds interpretation in clinical studies that assume linear decline. Subscore trajectories recapitulate phenotypic diversity and topographical progression of ALS. ALSFRS‐R is better used as a multidimensional measure. Muscle Nerve 57: 937–945, 2018
An Improved User Authentication Protocol for Healthcare Services via Wireless Medical Sensor Networks

Healthcare service sector is one of the major applications of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) acknowledged as Wireless Medical Sensor Network (WMSNs). It deploys tiny medical sensor-nodes (MS-nodes) on the body of the patient to sense crucial physiological signs which can be accessed and analyzed by registered medical professionals. Recently, Khan et al. analyzed Kumar et al.'s scheme proposed for healthcare applications using WMSNs and observed that the scheme is susceptible to many security weaknesses if an adversary extracts the information from the lost smart card of some user. The adversary can access patient's physiological data without knowing actual password, can deceive medical professionals by sending fake information about patients, can guess the password of a user from the corresponding smart card, and so forth. Besides, the scheme fails to resist insider attack, lacks user anonymity and the session key shared between the user and the MS-node is insecure. To overcome these problems, we propose an improved user authentication scheme for healthcare applications using WMSNs. We show that the scheme is free from the identified weaknesses and excels in performance and efficiency scheme.
Porcine bocaviruses: genetic analysis and prevalence in Chinese swine population

SUMMARY In members of the Bocavirus genus, that contain three open reading frames (ORFs) of the Parvovirinae subfamily, porcine bocaviruses (PoBoVs) exhibit the most genetic diversity. Based on the ORF2-encoded viral protein (VP1) classification, the six reported porcine bocaviruses were grouped into four species: PoBoV1 (porcine boca-like virus or PBoLV), PoBoV2 (porcine parvovirus 4 or PPV4), PoBoV3 (PBoV1/PBoV2) and PoBoV4 (6V/7V), with PoBoV3 and PoBoV4 each having two genotype viruses. All four PoBoV species were detected in the 166 samples collected in 2010 from swine herds located in ten provinces of China. The detection rates for PoBoV1-4 were 28·9%, 6·6%, 19·3% and 39·7%, respectively. The co-infection combinations involving these six porcine bocaviruses in the collected samples were very complex. Furthermore, mixed infections with viruses from other families (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, classic swine fever virus and porcine circovirus type 2) were also detected.
Differential electroresponsiveness of stellate and pyramidal-like cells of medial entorhinal cortex layer II.

1. The electroresponsive properties of neurons from layer II of the rat medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) were studied by intracellular recording under current clamp in an in vitro brain slice preparation. From a total of 184 cells that fulfilled our criteria for recording stability, two groups of projection neurons were distinguished on the basis of their intrinsic biophysical properties and morphological characteristics (demonstrated by intracellular biocytin injection; n = 34). 2. Stellate cells (SCs) were the most abundant (69%). They were highly electroresponsive, and minimal changes (1-3 mV) of membrane potential generated an active response. Subthreshold depolarizing or hyperpolarizing current pulse injection always caused the membrane potential to attain an early peak and then sag to a lower level. Depolarization-induced "sags" were larger and determined early firing in all cells. The voltage-current relationship of SCs was markedly non-linear, demonstrating robust inward rectification in the hyperpolarizing and depolarizing range. 3. SCs generated persistent rhythmic subthreshold voltage oscillations on DC depolarization positive to -60 mV. The mean frequency of the oscillations was 8.6 Hz (theta range) at a membrane potential of approximately -55 mV, at which level occasional single spiking also occurred. At slightly more positive potentials, a striking 1- to 3-Hz repetitive bursting pattern emerged. This consisted of nonadapting trains of spikes ("clusters") interspersed with subthreshold oscillations that had a mean frequency of 21.7 Hz (beta range). 4. Nonstellate cells (39%; mostly pyramidal-like) displayed time-dependent inward rectification that was less pronounced than that of SCs, and minimal depolarization-induced sags. On threshold depolarization, firing was always preceded by a slowly rising ramp depolarization and thus occurred with a long delay. Inward rectification in the depolarizing range was very pronounced. However, non-SCs did not generate persistent rhythmic subthreshold oscillatory activity or spike clusters. 5. Of the electrophysiological parameters quantified, spike threshold, spike duration, depolarizing afterpotential amplitude and apparent membrane time constant demonstrated statistically significant differences between SCs and non-SCs. 6. The repetitive hiring properties in response to square current pulses of short duration (< 500 ms) were also different between SCs and non-SCs. First, most SCs displayed a bilinear frequency-current (f-I) relationship for only the first interspike interval, whereas most non-SCs displayed a bilinear relationship for all intervals. Second, SCs had a much steeper primary f-I slope for early intervals than non-SCs. Finally, SCs displayed more pronounced and faster spike frequency adaptation than non-SCs. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Design and measurement of metallic post-wall waveguide components

In this paper we discuss the design and measurement of a set of metallic post-wall waveguide components for antenna feed structures. The components are manufactured on a single layer printed circuit board and excited by a grounded coplanar waveguide. For a straight transmission line, a 90° H-plane bend, and a H-plane T-junction, we compare measurements with simulations obtained from commercial software. In a next phase, the set of test components will be used to validate a software tool for component analysis. This tool is based on our own numerical method and will be integrated with a circuit simulator.
A mesh-tearing simplified sub-entire domain basis function method for finite periodic structures

A mesh-tearing simplified sub-entire domain (MTSSED) basis function method is proposed for electromagnetic (EM) scattering analysis of finite periodic structures. The detailed algorithm is presented and the accuracy is improved significantly compared to SSED method. The numerical results demonstrate that the computational error is convergent with the density of mesh.
Ancestral sequence reconstruction as a tool to understand natural history and guide synthetic biology: realizing and extending the vision of Zuckerkandl and Pauling

The recent accumulation of DNA sequence data, combined with advances in evolutionary theory and computational power, have paved the way for innovative approaches to understanding the origins, evolution, and distribution of life and its constituent biomolecules (Pauling and Zuckerkandl, 1963; Benner et al., 2002; Gaucher et al., 2004). One approach to understanding ancestral states follows a present-day-backwards strategy, whereby genomic sequences from extant (modern) organisms are incorporated into evolutionary models that estimate the extinct (ancient) character states of genes no longer present on Earth (Fitch, 1971; Shih et al., 1993; Benner, 1995; Koshi and Goldstein, 1996; Schultz et al., 1996; Cunningham, 1999; Omland, 1999; Pagel, 1999; Schultz and Churchill, 1999; Chang and Donoghue, 2000; Thornton, 2004; Hall, 2006). These inferred ancestral gene sequences act as hypotheses that can be tested in the laboratory through the resurrection of the ancestral proteins themselves (paleogenetics). Results from functional assays of the protein products from these ancient genes permit us to accept or reject null hypotheses about the sequences themselves, or about their interactions, binding specificities, environments, etc. And beyond narratives relating ancient phenotypes and environments, paleogenetics provides the unique opportunity to ‘‘replay’’ the molecular tape of life (Gould, 1989). It is probably appropriate that any discussion of ancestral sequence reconstruction be placed within a historical framework. By doing so in this chapter, I hope to convey how the field has made recent advances, and emphasize the need to continue this progress so that our concepts enjoy wider recognition and create greater impact than the achievements to date. The chapter will begin with a brief account of the field during the 1990s. I will continue with a discussion on one of the resurrected gene families that has been studied, and then conclude with a discussion on future directions in the field, with a particular emphasis on evolutionary synthetic biology. In 1963, Emile Zuckerkandl and Linus Pauling published an intriguing article entitled ‘‘Chemical paleogenetics molecular restoration studies of extinct forms of life’’ (Pauling and Zuckerkandl, 1963). In it, they put forward the notion of reconstructing amino acid sequences of ancestral proteins by virtue of a comparison between sequences of related proteins found in contemporary organisms and subsequent synthesis (and thereby resurrection) of these sequences in the laboratory. While limits in technology prohibited the actual resurrection, Zuckerkandl and Pauling presented a sequence reconstruction of ancient mammalian