Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tree identity and diversity directly affect soil moisture and temperature but not soil carbon ten years after planting

Abstract Soil C is the largest C pool in forest ecosystems that contributes to C sequestration and mitigates climate change. Tree diversity enhances forest productivity, so diversifying the tree species composition, notably in managed forests, could increase the quantity of organic matter being transferred to soils and alter other soil properties relevant to the C cycle. A ten‐year‐old tree diversity experiment was used to study the effects of tree identity and diversity (functional and taxonomic) on soils. Surface (0–10 cm) mineral soil was repeatedly measured for soil C concentration, C:N ratio, pH, moisture, and temperature in twenty‐four tree species mixtures and twelve corresponding monocultures (replicated in four blocks). Soil pH, moisture, and temperature responded to tree diversity and identity. Greater productivity in above‐ and below‐ground tree components did not increase soil C concentration. Soil pH increased and soil moisture decreased with functional diversity, more specifically, when species had different growth strategies and shade tolerances. Functional identity affected soil moisture and temperature, such that tree communities with more slow‐growing and shade‐tolerant species had greater soil moisture and temperature. Higher temperature was measured in communities with broadleaf‐deciduous species compared to communities with coniferous‐evergreen species. We conclude that long‐term soil C cycling in forest plantations will likely respond to changes in soil pH, moisture, and temperature that is mediated by tree species composition, since tree species affect these soil properties through their litter quality, water uptake, and physical control of soil microclimates.
Computational Approaches for Remote Monitoring of Symptoms and Activities

COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES FOR REMOTE MONITORING OF SYMPTOMS AND ACTIVITIES Ferdaus Ahmed Kawsar, B.S., M.S. Marquette University, 2015 We now have a unique phenomenon where significant computational power, storage, connectivity, and built-in sensors are carried by many people willingly as part of their life style; two billion people now use smart phones. Unique and innovative solutions using smart phones are motivated by rising health care cost in both the developed and developing worlds. In this work, development of a methodology for building a remote symptom monitoring system for rural people in developing countries has been explored. Design, development, deployment, and evaluation of e-ESAS is described. The system’s performance was studied by analyzing feedback from users. A smart phone based prototype activity detection system that can detect basic human activities for monitoring by remote observers was developed and explored in this study. The majority voting fusion technique, along with decision tree learners were used to classify eight activities in a multi-sensor framework. This multimodal approach was examined in details and evaluated for both single and multi-subject cases. Time-delay embedding with expectation-maximization for Gaussian Mixture Model was explored as a way of developing activity detection system using reduced number of sensors, leading to a lower computational cost algorithm. The systems and algorithms developed in this work focus on means for remote monitoring using smart phones. The smart phone based remote symptom monitoring system called e-ESAS serves as a working tool to monitor essential symptoms of patients with breast cancer by doctors. The activity detection system allows a remote observer to monitor basic human activities. For the activity detection system, the majority voting fusion technique in multi-sensor architecture is evaluated for eight activities in both single and multiple subjects cases. Time-delay embedding with expectationmaximization algorithm for Gaussian Mixture Model was studied using data from multiple single sensor cases.
cpSRP43 Is Both Highly Flexible and Stable: Structural Insights Using a Combined Experimental and Computational Approach

The novel multidomain protein, cpSRP43, is a unique subunit of the post-translational chloroplast signal recognition particle (cpSRP) targeting pathway in higher plants. The cpSRP pathway is responsible for targeting and insertion of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding proteins (LHCPs) to the thylakoid membrane. Nuclear-encoded LHCPs are synthesized in the cytoplasm then imported into the chloroplast. Upon emergence into the stroma, LHCPs form a soluble transit complex with the cpSRP heterodimer, which is composed of cpSRP43 and cpSRP54, a 54 kDa subunit homologous to the universally conserved GTPase in cytosolic SRP pathways. cpSRP43 is irreplaceable as a chaperone to LHCPs in their translocation to the thylakoid membrane and remarkable in its ability to dissolve aggregates of LHCPs without the need for external energy input. In previous studies, cpSRP43 has demonstrated significant flexibility and interdomain dynamics. However, the high flexibility and structural dynamics of cpSRP43 is yet unexplained by current crystal structures of cpSRP43. This is due, in part, to the fact that free full length cpSRP43 is so flexible that it is unable to crystalize. In this study, we explore the structural stability of cpSRP43 under different conditions using various biophysical techniques and find that this protein is concurrently highly stable and flexible. This conclusion is interesting considering that stable proteins typically possess a non-dynamic structure. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations which correlated with data from biophysical experimentation were used to explain the basis of the extraordinary stability of cpSRP43. This combination of biophysical data and microsecond-level MD simulations allows us to obtain a detailed perspective of the conformational landscape of these proteins.
Los Angeles: The Capital of the Armenian Immigrant Community in the Twenty-First Century

This article is an introduction to the subject of Armenian Americans in Los Angeles, both within the broader context of the diaspora and a narrower one, presenting an analysis of the mutual relations between the Armenian community and the city. In the twenty-first century, Los Angeles has become home to the second largest urban population of Armenians in the world after Yerevan. It consists of three main groups: descendants of the first immigrants, refugees from the Middle East, and most recently, the so-called “Soviet” Armenians and immigrants from the Republic of Armenia. The construction of the Armenian Americans Museum will begin in the near future. The mission of the institution will be to document the experience of Armenian migration and to support the maintenance of ethnic identity among the next generations of the diaspora. In Glendale, an ethnoburb of Los Angeles, Armenian Americans make up 40 percent of the population. A significant proportion of the administrative decision-makers there come from the Armenian diaspora. The city is not only the informal second capital city for the Armenian global community, but also an incubator for its cultural project; in particular, it is a center of the Armenian music industry.
A new method for testing wide range horizontal field angle

In order to solve the problems of small measurement range, large error and low efficiency of laboratory optical field angle testing, a high-precision, easy -operating, high-efficient, and widely used horizontal field angle test method is proposed. It comes to a conclusion that the test method can reduce the experimental error through the analysis of the principle of the field of view error and the calculation of laboratory simulation. The simulation results show that for cameras with a field of view of more than 150 degrees, the measurement error can be reduced by 37 degrees, and when the field of view of the camera under test is close to 170 degrees, the method can reduce the measurement error by nearly 54 degrees. Meanwhile, a wide-range horizontal field angle measurement method is proposed. The camera under test is moved on the supporting mobile platform to image the target test board, and then the imaging target is read by reading the scale value on the test board calculates the angle of the camera under test. This method can effectively avoid the measurement error of the angle caused by the distance between the center of the lens surface and the center of the entrance pupil, so as to quickly obtain the angle of view test results, and improve the testing accuracy, and it is also suitable for cameras that measure a wide range of field angles (wide-angle camera or fisheye camera, etc.) to solve the problem of laboratory testing a wide range of horizontal field angles.
Comparison of the clinicopathological features and oncologic outcomes of the classic papillary thyroid carcinoma with tall cell features and tall cell variant.

Background The tall cell variant (TCV) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) (TCVPTC) is the most common aggressive variant of PTC. Classic PTC with tall cell features (TCF) is defined as PTC with noticeable tall cells but the percentage of these cells is lower than that required for the diagnosis of TCVPTC. We aimed to investigate the potential differences between TCVPTC and classic PTC with TCF with respect to clinicopathological characteristics and oncologic outcomes. Methods We retrospectively assessed 509 patients with TCVPTC or classic PTC with TCF who underwent thyroid surgery between January 2013 and December 2018 at the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital (Seoul, Korea). Clinicopathological characteristics and oncologic outcomes between TCVPTC and classic PTC with TCF were compared in terms of disease-free survival (DFS). The mean follow-up duration was 70.7±21.7 months. Results The mean tumor size was significantly larger in the TCVPTC group. There was no significant difference between the TCVPTC and classic PTC with TCF groups with respect to DFS. Tumor size >2 cm [odds ratio (OR), 1.922; P=0.019], bilaterality (OR, 1.668; P=0.030), extrathyroidal extension (ETE) (OR, 2.352; P=0.002), and lateral LN metastasis (OR, 1.700; P=0.045) were significantly associated with TCVPTC compared with classic PTC with TCF. Conclusions TCVPTC and classic PTC with TCF have similar clinicopathological characteristics and oncologic outcomes. Therefore, we suggest a potential re-classification of classic PTC with TCF from low-risk to intermediate-risk category in the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification system.
GATOR2 complex–mediated amino acid signaling regulates brain myelination

Significance Fast transmission of nerve impulses with energetic efficiency along axons of nerve cells is essential for brain function. Toward this goal, axons are wrapped by the myelin membranes extended from oligodendrocytes, which is known as myelination of axons. Therefore, myelination is dependent on the formation of oligodendrocyte lineage cells. How the oligodendrocyte lineage is formed remains incompletely known. Previous studies suggest that signaling pathways of growth factors and amino acids might coordinate the regulation of oligodendrocyte formation, but the specific amino acid signaling pathway that participates in this regulation has not been identified. This study identifies the amino acid signaling complex GATOR2 (GAP activity towards Rags 2) as a positive regulator of oligodendrocyte formation and myelination that coordinately regulates brain myelination with growth factor signaling. Amino acids are essential for cell growth and metabolism. Amino acid and growth factor signaling pathways coordinately regulate the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase in cell growth and organ development. While major components of amino acid signaling mechanisms have been identified, their biological functions in organ development are unclear. We aimed to understand the functions of the critically positioned amino acid signaling complex GAP activity towards Rags 2 (GATOR2) in brain development. GATOR2 mediates amino acid signaling to mTORC1 by directly linking the amino acid sensors for arginine and leucine to downstream signaling complexes. Now, we report a role of GATOR2 in oligodendrocyte myelination in postnatal brain development. We show that the disruption of GATOR2 complex by genetic deletion of meiosis regulator for oocyte development (Mios, encoding a component of GATOR2) selectively impairs the formation of myelinating oligodendrocytes, thus brain myelination, without apparent effects on the formation of neurons and astrocytes. The loss of Mios impairs cell cycle progression of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, leading to their reduced proliferation and differentiation. Mios deletion manifests a cell type–dependent effect on mTORC1 in the brain, with oligodendroglial mTORC1 selectively affected. However, the role of Mios/GATOR2 in oligodendrocyte formation and myelination involves mTORC1-independent function. This study suggests that GATOR2 coordinates amino acid and growth factor signaling to regulate oligodendrocyte myelination.
Analysis of identification methods of key nodes in transportation network

The identification of key nodes plays an important role in improving the robustness of the transportation network. For different types of transportation networks, the effect of the same identification method may be different. It is of practical significance to study the key nodes identification methods corresponding to various types of transportation networks. Based on the knowledge of complex networks, the metro networks and the bus networks are selected as the objects, and the key nodes are identified by the node degree identification method, the neighbor node degree identification method, the weighted k-shell degree neighborhood identification method (KSD), the degree k-shell identification method (DKS), and the degree k-shell neighborhood identification method (DKSN). Take the network efficiency and the largest connected subgraph as the effective indicators. The results show that the KSD identification method that comprehensively considers the elements has the best recognition effect and has certain practical significance.
Navigation planning for legged robots

As legged robots gain the abilities to walk, run, and balance on more than just flat, obstacle-free floors, they grow closer to fulfilling the potential of legged locomotion shown by biological systems. To truly fulfill this potential these robots must successfully traverse complicated, rough terrain, requiring the robots to step onto or over various features of the environment. Furthermore, when a robot must spend a significant amount of time supported by a single foot, the contact that foot makes with the ground is very important for stability, requiring that the robot properly assess foot placement to maintain balance during locomotion. This thesis addresses the problem of navigation for legged robots by using a global planning approach built on top of existing walking and running controllers. The planning process reasons about foot placement and contact configurations within the terrain, and the connectivity of those contact configurations. This thesis provides a general global navigation strategy for a wide range of legged robots through complicated environments, utilizing the advantages of their legs as well as ensuring their safety and stability during locomotion.
Defect-Induced π-Magnetism into Non-Benzenoid Nanographenes

The synthesis of nanographenes (NGs) with open-shell ground states have recently attained increasing attention in view of their interesting physicochemical properties and great prospects in manifold applications as suitable materials within the rising field of carbon-based magnetism. A potential route to induce magnetism in NGs is the introduction of structural defects, for instance non-benzenoid rings, in their honeycomb lattice. Here, we report the on-surface synthesis of three open-shell non-benzenoid NGs (A1, A2 and A3) on the Au(111) surface. A1 and A2 contain two five- and one seven-membered rings within their benzenoid backbone, while A3 incorporates one five-membered ring. Their structures and electronic properties have been investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy, noncontact atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy complemented with theoretical calculations. Our results provide access to open-shell NGs with a combination of non-benzenoid topologies previously precluded by conventional synthetic procedures.
Optically Transparent Compact 4 × 4 Butler Matrix for Wi-Fi Applications

In this paper, an optically transparent (OT) compact 4 × 4 Butler matrix (BM) operating at 2.4 GHz for Wi-Fi applications is proposed. The device has structured grids refined in quadrilateral cell shapes. The dimensions of cells are chosen based on a simple formula which guarantees a minimum required transparency level in conjunction with a limited rounds of optimizations. A theoretical optical transparency value of 76.2% has been obtained without affecting the excellent electrical performance of the BM. Moreover, complimentary square split ring resonators (CS-SRRs) are patterned in the ground plane of each transparent transmission line in the BM. This loading technique provides a relative size reduction of 16.6% compared to a conventional structure. Simulated and measured results of the proposed design agree well with conventional BM's results. The proposed technique and its related features can be expanded to other microwave devices.
Synthesis and Anti-Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) Activity of Novel 1,4-Naphthoquinone Sulfonamide and Sulfonate Ester Derivatives

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging disease caused by an alphavirus of the Togaviridae family. Since its first description in 1952, the disease has spread worldwide, affecting populations in both tropical and temperate countries. To date, there is no licensed vaccine or specific pharmacological treatment. Therefore, there is an increasing urgency in developing new antiviral drugs capable of specifically inhibiting viral replication. In the present work, we report the synthesis and antiviral activity evaluation of nineteen naphthoquinone derivatives, containing a sulfonamide or sulfonate group. Cell viability assays indicated a low toxic potential for all tested compounds and inhibitory assays against CHIKV identified five compounds with potent activity. The compounds were also evaluated for their virucidal potential, and the results demonstrated that compound 11a exhibited a virucidal effect higher than 70% in the treatment with 20 µM. Furthermore, in silico studies were performed to predict the antiviral drug targets.
GNS561 Exhibits Potent Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2 through Autophagy Inhibition

Since December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has spread quickly worldwide, leading to more than 280 million confirmed cases, including over 5,000,000 deaths. Interestingly, coronaviruses were found to subvert and hijack autophagic process to allow their viral replication. Autophagy-modulating compounds thus rapidly emerged as an attractive strategy to fight SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the well-known chloroquine (CQ). Here, we investigated the antiviral activity and associated mechanism of GNS561/Ezurpimtrostat, a small lysosomotropic molecule inhibitor of late-stage autophagy. Interestingly, GNS561 exhibited antiviral activity of 6–40 nM depending on the viral strain considered, currently positioning it as the most powerful molecule investigated in SARS-CoV-2 infection. We then showed that GNS561 was located in lysosome-associated-membrane-protein-2-positive (LAMP2-positive) lysosomes, together with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, GNS561 increased LC3-II spot size and caused the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles and the presence of multilamellar bodies, suggesting that GNS561 disrupted the autophagy mechanism. To confirm our findings, we used the K18-hACE2 mouse model and highlighted that GNS561 treatment led to a decline in SARS-CoV-2 virions in the lungs associated with a disruption of the autophagy pathway. Overall, our study highlights GNS561 as a powerful drug in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and supports the hypothesis that autophagy blockers could be an alternative strategy for COVID-19.
Terahertz Channel Propagation Phenomena, Measurement Techniques and Modeling for 6G Wireless Communication Applications: A Survey, Open Challenges and Future Research Directions

The Terahertz (THz) band (0.3-3.0 THz), spans a great portion of the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum that is mostly unoccupied and unregulated. It is a potential candidate for application in Sixth-Generation (6G) wireless networks, as it has the capabilities of satisfying the high data rate and capacity requirements of future wireless communication systems. Profound knowledge of the propagation channel is crucial in communication systems design, which nonetheless is still at its infancy, as channel modeling at THz frequencies has been mostly limited to characterizing fixed Point-to-Point (PtP) scenarios up to 300 GHz. Provided the technology matures enough and models adapt to the distinctive characteristics of the THz wave, future wireless communication systems will enable a plethora of new use cases and applications to be realized, in addition to delivering higher spectral efficiencies that would ultimately enhance the Quality-of-Service (QoS) to the end user. In this paper, we provide an insight into THz channel propagation characteristics, measurement capabilities, and modeling techniques for 6G communication applications, along with guidelines and recommendations that will aid future characterization efforts in the THz band. We survey the most recent and important measurement campaigns and modeling efforts found in literature, based on the use cases and system requirements identified. Finally, we discuss the challenges and limitations of measurement and modeling at such high frequencies and contemplate the future research outlook toward realizing the 6G vision.
A Telematic Builder for V2V and V2I via N-Fi System

Telematics are essential projects in current implementation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Near Field Informatics (N-Fi) which is a system built for the communication among vehicles and roadside units can drive informatics satisfying travelers’ demands (information on demands, IOD). The proposed system is constructed on the protocol of IEEE802.15. 4 (Zigbee) for a vehicle ad-hoc network (Z-VANET). Although the bandwidth of Zigbee is lower than IEEE 802.11p, Zigbee has characteristics of quicker linking and routing capability, mash networking as well as its chip cost is competitively low. The paper designs a rule to avoid packet storming in the Z-VANET while a message is being transmitted. This rule has an advantage of that unnecessary to put a sequence of control packets for determining the inter-transmitting nodes. According to the tests, the study has validated that N-Fi works both forward and backward inter-transmission with high precision, low loss rate. This proves that Zigbee can act a certain mission in the vehicle infrastructure integration (VII) system.
Operational Parametric Study of a Tesla Pump: Disk Pack Spacing and Rotational Speed

A Tesla pump was designed and built with the objective of being a compact and rugged pump for cooling electronics. A Tesla pump is a bladeless pump that uses spinning disks to move fluid. Due to the nature of the pump, cavitation is avoided, and the lack of conventional blades makes it rugged and easy to build. A continuous test loop was designed and used to produce pump curves at several different disk pack spacings and motor speeds. Pump curves were obtained and analyzed for this prototype Tesla pump. It was determined the smallest spacing tested proved to be the most efficient, especially at the highest motor speed. A relationship between disk pack gap and efficiency was found, as well as one between the pump’s performance and motor speed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME