Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress for European ecosystems

Understanding the critical soil moisture (SM) threshold (θcrit) of plant water stress and land surface energy partitioning is a basis to evaluate drought impacts and improve models for predicting future ecosystem condition and climate. Quantifying the θcrit across biomes and climates is challenging because observations of surface energy fluxes and SM remain sparse. Here, we used the latest database of eddy covariance measurements to estimate θcrit across Europe by evaluating evaporative fraction (EF)‐SM relationships and investigating the covariance between vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and gross primary production (GPP) during SM dry‐down periods. We found that the θcrit and soil matric potential threshold in Europe are 16.5% and −0.7 MPa, respectively. Surface energy partitioning characteristics varied among different vegetation types; EF in savannas had the highest sensitivities to SM in water‐limited stage, and the lowest in forests. The sign of the covariance between daily VPD and GPP consistently changed from positive to negative during dry‐down across all sites when EF shifted from relatively high to low values. This sign of the covariance changed after longer period of SM decline in forests than in grasslands and savannas. Estimated θcrit from the VPD–GPP covariance method match well with the EF–SM method, showing this covariance method can be used to detect the θcrit. We further found that soil texture dominates the spatial variability of θcrit while shortwave radiation and VPD are the major drivers in determining the spatial pattern of EF sensitivities. Our results highlight for the first time that the sign change of the covariance between daily VPD and GPP can be used as an indicator of how ecosystems transition from energy to SM limitation. We also characterized the corresponding θcrit and its drivers across diverse ecosystems in Europe, an essential variable to improve the representation of water stress in land surface models.
Experimental demonstration of adaptive nulling using a mesh reflector antenna

The authors report the first results experimentally demonstrating the ability of a reconfigurable mesh reflector to adaptively form a null in the sidelobe region of an arbitrarily shaped pattern, with no a priori knowledge of the angular location of the source of interference. Using a prototype mesh reflector antenna with additional hardware and software in a compact antenna test range (CATR), deep nulls have been successfully formed for a number of simulated scenarios and some typical results are presented. It is shown that a null may be formed to a depth of –60 dB with respect to the pattern peak after less than 50 iterations of the nulling algorithm. It is believed that this represents the first demonstration of adaptive nulling using control of a reflector surface rather than the excitations of array or feed array elements.
SKIN SURFACE CHEMISTRY AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR SKIN DISEASES

The skin is the biggest sense organ in the body, with a surface area of 1.7m2 in adults. Because standard histological procedures influence skin components, several dermatological research has had little effectiveness in showing skin function. The structure of each skin layer may now be visualised non-invasively thanks to recent advances in non-invasive optical imaging. Individual skin components, on the other hand, remain difficult to identify. Understanding skin's chemical and physical features helps the cosmetics sector create deodorant, lipstick, and moisturizers. In addition, PH regulates the activation of proteases linked to the formation of chronic wounds and impacts skin barrier functions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive optical imaging innovation that creates high-resolution photos of the face and cross-areas of the skin. While OCT has a lot of potentials, many dermatologists are unfamiliar with it. This article aims to give professional dermatologists a basic grasp of skin OCT concepts and clinical applications.
Ultra-area-efficient three-stage amplifier using current buffer Miller compensation and parallel compensation

An ultra-compact three-stage amplifier is proposed by merging current buffer Miller compensation with parallel compensation, which achieves significant improvement in area efficiency without sacrificing the gain-bandwidth product (GBW) and power. Fabricated in 0.35 m CMOS the amplifier measures 4.98 MHz GBW at 150 pF load while drawing 20 A at 2 V. The entailed compensation capacitance is minimised to 1.5 pF and the chip size is merely 0.012 mm 2 .
Psychometric Assessment of the Paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Malawian Fathers

Background: Only 61% of Malawian women exclusively breastfeed to the recommended 6 months. Paternal support is predictive of exclusive breastfeeding, and significantly related to paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy, defined as fathers’ confidence in their ability to assist mothers with breastfeeding. Research Aims: To (1) examine the psychometric properties of the Paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) in Malawian fathers, including internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, construct validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and convergent validity; and (2) assess the relationship between the BSES-SF and paternal demographic and health factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a maternity hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, and 180 fathers whose partners had delivered a singleton infant were included. Participants completed the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and Quality of Life with confirmatory factor analysis performed to assess the construct validity. The internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and intra-class correlations. Convergent validity was also assessed. Results: A unidimensional factorial structure of the Malawian Paternal BSES-SF was identified using confirmatory factor analysis. The scale had an excellent Cronbach’s alpha of . 90 and a test-retest reliability of . 93. Participants’ breastfeeding self-efficacy was significantly correlated with the Quality of Life domains of psychological health (r = .23; p < .01), social relationships (r = .28; p < .001), and environmental health (r = .30; p < .001). Participants who were older, married, and with ≥ two children had significantly higher breastfeeding self-efficacy and were more confident in their ability to support their partner’s breastfeeding. Conclusion: The Paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form was a valid and reliable measure to assess fathers’ confidence in their ability to assist mothers with breastfeeding in Malawi.
Efficient testing methodologies for microcameras in a gigapixel imaging system

Multiscale parallel imaging--based on a monocentric optical design--promises revolutionary advances in diverse imaging applications by enabling high resolution, real-time image capture over a wide field-of-view (FOV), including sport broadcast, wide-field microscopy, astronomy, and security surveillance. Recently demonstrated AWARE-2 is a gigapixel camera consisting of an objective lens and 98 microcameras spherically arranged to capture an image over FOV of 120° by 50°, using computational image processing to form a composite image of 0.96 gigapixels. Since microcameras are capable of individually adjusting exposure, gain, and focus, true parallel imaging is achieved with a high dynamic range. From the integration perspective, manufacturing and verifying consistent quality of microcameras is a key to successful realization of AWARE cameras. We have developed an efficient testing methodology that utilizes a precisely fabricated dot grid chart as a calibration target to extract critical optical properties such as optical distortion, veiling glare index, and modulation transfer function to validate imaging performance of microcameras. This approach utilizes an AWARE objective lens simulator which mimics the actual objective lens but operates with a short object distance, suitable for a laboratory environment. Here we describe the principles of the methodologies developed for AWARE microcameras and discuss the experimental results with our prototype microcameras. Reference Brady, D. J., Gehm, M. E. , Stack, R. A. , Marks, D. L. , Kittle, D. S. , Golish, D. R. , Vera, E. M. , and Feller, S. D. , “Multiscale gigapixel photography,” Nature 486, 386--389 (2012).
Locational decisions and subjective well-being: an empirical study of Chinese urban migrants

ABSTRACT Motivated by the popularity of ‘Run away from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou’ saying in China this paper tests the determinants of subjective well-being (SWB) of long-term migrants and the extent to which migrants make optimal locational decisions in terms of SWB. China’s cities are divided into 4 core first-tier cities, 15 new first-tier cities, and non-first-tier cities (94 in the sample) reflecting different levels of economic opportunity and amenities. Migrants can only be observed in their present location. Hence, we use a semi-parametric marginal treatment effect method to compare actual and counterfactual SWB outcomes. Results shows that migrants’ SWB is greater in non-first-tier cities than first-tier cities; the determinants of SWB differ for male and female migrants; and, female migrants with urban hukou are typically better off in the four core first-tier cities as well as other first-tier cities. Overall, there is thus a marked gender differences in migrants’ optimal locational choice. From a productivity and social cohesion perspective, these results make it imperative that public policy in China addresses the gender and spatial sorting imbalances that arises from differences in SWB determinants and optimal location as ever more educated young people join the labour force.
EHD motion and its influences on conduction of liquids under transient unipolar injection

The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) motion of an insulating liquid subjected to a transient unipolar injection has been investigated. Based on the dynamics of the space-charge/liquid interface in front of an injecting electrode, the EHD mobility is formulated. The theoretical values calculated show a good agreement with the experimental data available. The proposed EHD model leads to the expressions not only for the time delay, but also for the EHD mobility. It appears that the EHD motion is governed by the dynamics of the interface, and in turn dominates the transient conduction. <<ETX>>
Field controlled thyristors-a new family of power semiconductors with advanced circuitry

Field-controlled thyristors (FCTs) exhibiting true normally-off characteristics without deterioration of the on-state are reported. Snubberless switching capability has been extended to 1200 V and 16 A (200 A/cm/sup 2/, dynamic avalanche). A novel latching mechanism, called current punchthrough, that limits the turn-off current is presented. Typical devise characteristics are reported for both a normally-on FCT with lifetime control (dV/dt=10 kV/ mu s) and a normally-off FCT without lifetime control (dV/dt=600 V/ mu s). The influence of the drive circuit (MOSFET-FCT and thyristor-FCT cascades) is discussed. <<ETX>>
Improving to Smart Organization

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on studying the concept of “Smart Organization” and providing a comprehensive framework for the various factors as barriers for the smart organization, identifying and classifying the key criterion of these factors based on their direct and indirect relationships. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper an extensive literature survey and experts’ opinion have been used to identify major barriers of smart organization. These barriers are then modeled using interpretative structural modeling (ISM) methodology. The model so developed has been further improved and an integrated model has been developed using fuzzy-MICMAC. Findings – Various barriers of smart organization have been identified and a structural model has been developed for barriers using the ISM methodology. The critical barriers have been found out by fuzzy-MICMAC analysis. The driver power and dependence graph has been plotted for barriers. The barriers are classified into four categories whi.
Simplified modeling of parallel plate resonances on multilayer printed circuit boards

Multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs) are currently used in various areas of electronics such as telecommunications. However, high crosstalk between signal vias can cause degradation of performance for these kinds of structures. Resonances of parallel ground or power planes can increase this crosstalk. In this study, a simplified approach to the modeling of these resonances is described. It is assumed that the fields inside the board have characteristically only two-dimensional (2-D) variation. When this hypothesis is valid, it is shown that resonances can be measured on two-layer prototyping boards and simulated using a 2-D finite-difference model. It is additionally noted that a previously suggested method of using coaxial ground vias to suppress coupling between vias is not necessarily effective if there are resonant parallel plates on the board. Agreement between measured and modeled results is good enough for practical design purposes. The main advantages of the method used in this study compared to the more robust three-dimensional (3-D) simulation models are savings in time and costs. Additionally, prototyping is much easier on two than multilayer boards.
Molecular Characterization of U-box E3 Ubiquitin Ligases (TaPUB2 and TaPUB3) Involved in the Positive Regulation of Drought Stress Response in Arabidopsis

Plant U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase (PUB) is involved in various environmental stress conditions. However, the molecular mechanism of U-box proteins in response to abiotic stress in wheat remains unknown. In this study, two U-box E3 ligase genes (TaPUB2 and TaPUB3), which are highly expressed in response to adverse abiotic stresses, were isolated from common wheat, and their cellular functions were characterized under drought stress. Transient expression assay revealed that TaPUB2 was localized in the cytoplasm and Golgi apparatus, whereas TaPUB3 was expressed only in the Golgi apparatus in wheat protoplasts. Additionally, TaPUB2 and TaPUB3 underwent self-ubiquitination. Moreover, TaPUB2/TaPUB3 heterodimer was identified in yeast and the cytoplasm of wheat protoplasts using a pull-down assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis. Heterogeneous overexpression of TaPUB2 and TaPUB3 conferred tolerance to drought stress. Taken together, these results implied that the heterodimeric form of U-box E3 ubiquitin ligases (TaPUB2/TaPUB3) responded to abiotic stress and roles as a positive regulator of drought stress tolerance.
Multiple comparisons of precipitation variations in different areas using simultaneous confidence intervals for all possible ratios of variances of several zero-inflated lognormal models

Flash flooding and landslides regularly cause injury, death, and homelessness in Thailand. An advancedwarning system is necessary for predicting natural disasters, and analyzing the variability of daily precipitation might be usable in this regard. Moreover, analyzing the differences in precipitation data among multiple weather stations could be used to predict variations in meteorological conditions throughout the country. Since precipitation data in Thailand follow a zero-inflated lognormal (ZILN) distribution, multiple comparisons of precipitation variation in different areas can be addressed by using simultaneous confidence intervals (SCIs) for all possible pairwise ratios of variances of several ZILN models. Herein, we formulate SCIs using Bayesian, generalized pivotal quantity (GPQ), and parametric bootstrap (PB) approaches. The results of a simulation study provide insight into the performances of the SCIs. Those based on PB and the Bayesian approach via probability matching with the beta prior performed well in situations with a large amount of zero-inflated data with a large variance. Besides, the Bayesian based on the reference-beta prior and GPQ SCIs can be considered as alternative approaches for small-to-large and medium-to-large sample sizes from large population, respectively. These approaches were applied to estimate the precipitation variability among weather stations in lower southern Thailand to illustrate their efficacies.
Steady-state and cyclo-stationary RTS noise in mosfets

In this thesis the low-frequency noise in MOSFETs under steady-state and dynamic biasing conditions was investigated. The low-frequency noise in MOSFETs dominated by RTS noise is the most sensitive to biasing changes. While periodic large-signal excitation is successfully used to reduce the LF noise dominated by RTS, it also occurs in some samples that the low-frequency noise increases because the normally `dormant? traps under steady-state conditions get `active? as a result of the dynamic biasing
Comparing Different Technologies Movement in Marine Container for Containers Terminals

The explosive growth of freight volumes has greatly increased the work of seaports and urged the port authorities to adopt advanced technologies to cope with the booming containerships. Automated operations providing high eflciency have been considered as one of the ways to deal with this problem. Linear Motors Conveyor Systems (LMCS) and Automated Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS) are the two candidate automation systems that can be used to improve the performance of yard operations. In this paper, simulation models of LMCS and AGVS employed in marine container terminals are developed to investigate the effect of automation and di@erent cargo handling technologies. Yard performance measures are evaluated by Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) method to determine the optimal number of vehicles needed to be deployed. The simulation results show how the performance of the terminal increases when LMCSLAGVS are deployed The differences between the two technologies, LMCS and AGVS, are also investigated using the developed simulation models.
Iron-Utilization System in Vibrio vulnificus M2799

Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and requires iron for growth. A clinical isolate, V. vulnificus M2799, secretes a catecholate siderophore, vulnibactin, that captures ferric ions from the environment. In the ferric-utilization system in V. vulnificus M2799, an isochorismate synthase (ICS) and an outer membrane receptor, VuuA, are required under low-iron conditions, but alternative proteins FatB and VuuB can function as a periplasmic-binding protein and a ferric-chelate reductase, respectively. The vulnibactin-export system is assembled from TolCV1 and several RND proteins, including VV1_1681. In heme acquisition, HupA and HvtA serve as specific outer membrane receptors and HupB is a sole periplasmic-binding protein, unlike FatB in the ferric-vulnibactin utilization system. We propose that ferric-siderophore periplasmic-binding proteins and ferric-chelate reductases are potential targets for drug discovery in infectious diseases.
Integration of active and passive track files from internetted aircraft for enhanced situation awareness

An algorithm capable of integrating the multisensor integration (MSI) track files from internetted friendly aircraft has been developed and validated through simulation. In addition to enhancing the situation awareness, the algorithm allows target position to be determined from passive sensor measurements to minimize the exposure of friendly aircraft. The position and velocity of multiple targets are estimated by subsequentially processing the angular information in MSI track files. Range measurements are not required for this process, although availability of range information, the ITFM (internetted track file maintenance) algorithm relies on passive ranging and deghosting for track initiation. <<ETX>>
Design and Control for a Charge-Regulated Flyback Switch-Mode Rectifier

This paper presents the design and control of a single-stage charge-regulated varying-frequency flyback switch-mode rectifier (SMR). First, the ratings of key constituted circuit components are derived, and accordingly, the power circuit is designed and implemented. Then, a novel charge-regulated, varying-frequency, current-controlled pulsewidth modulation (CCPWM) switching scheme is developed. In the proposed control scheme, the switch turn-on time is fixed, and the turn-off time interval is determined by the comparison result between the low-pass filtered switch current and its current command. The proposed switching scheme possesses the features of without slope compensation, having more dispersedly distributed harmonic spectrum, robust current tracking control, and ease of implementation using off-the-shelf integrated circuits. Finally, the quantitative and robust voltage regulation controls considering nonlinear behavior are made. Good dc output voltage regulation and ac input power quality control performances under wide load range are obtained. Some simulated and measured results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the developed SMR.
Computer aided techniques to support speckle laser experimental setup and online vision

The use of dynamic speckle laser, also called biospeckle laser (BSL), presents a series of challenges to its adoption, as it is the case for its use in real time, and when ones desires to adjust the experimental setup. The technical analysis of the BSL adopted in real time has reduced spatial resolution of the captured image, while the adjustment of preparing an experiment still demands the trial of a specialist. In this work two approaches have been proposed to improve the efficiency of BSL real-time adjustments to support the experimental setup. The use of the method known as Motion History Image (MHI) was carry out over a series of BSL images. The MHI was the basis for the implementation of a graphical interface for real-time identification of areas of activity, and then delimiting the regions of interest. The results showed that the MHI was effective in the reproduction of the activities of speckle patterns in real time without reducing image resolution, and as an instrument for delimit of regions of activity, supporting the analyst in the choice of lighting adjustments and image assembling.
Improving Generation of Cardiac Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using the Aurora Kinase Inhibitor ZM447439

Drug-induced cardiotoxicity reduces the success rates of drug development. Thus, the limitations of current evaluation methods must be addressed. Human cardiac organoids (hCOs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are useful as an advanced drug-testing model; they demonstrate similar electrophysiological functionality and drug reactivity as the heart. How-ever, similar to other organoid models, they have immature characteristics compared to adult hearts, and exhibit batch-to-batch variation. As the cell cycle is important for the mesodermal differentiation of stem cells, we examined the effect of ZM447439, an aurora kinase inhibitor that regulates the cell cycle, on cardiogenic differentiation. We determined the optimal concentration and timing of ZM447439 for the differentiation of hCOs from hiPSCs and developed a novel protocol for efficiently and reproducibly generating beating hCOs with improved electrophysiological functionality, contractility, and yield. We validated their maturity through electro-physiological- and image-based functional assays and gene profiling with next-generation sequencing, and then applied these cells to multi-electrode array platforms to monitor the cardio-toxicity of drugs related to cardiac arrhythmia; the results confirmed the drug reactivity of hCOs. These findings may enable determination of the regulatory mechanism of cell cycles underlying the generation of iPSC-derived hCOs, providing a valuable drug testing platform.