Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical analysis of multilook SAR interferograms for CFAR detection of ground moving targets

This paper examines the statistics of the phase and magnitude of multilook synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferograms toward deployment of along-track interferometry (ATI) for slow ground moving-target indication (GMTI). While the known probability density function (pdf) of the interferogram's phase (derived under the assumption of Gaussian backscatter) is shown to agree almost perfectly for a wide variety of backscatter conditions, the corresponding magnitude's pdf tends to deviate strongly in most cases. Motivated by this discrepancy, a novel distribution is derived for the interferogram's magnitude. This pdf, called the polynomial or p-distribution, matches the real data much more accurately, particularly for heterogeneous composite terrain. For extremely heterogeneous terrain, such as urban areas, both pdfs for interferometric phase and magnitude fail and are extended. Based on these statistics, a completely automatic detection scheme with constant false-alarm rates (CFARs) for slow moving targets is proposed. All involved parameters required to determine the detection thresholds are estimated from the sample data. It is demonstrated, on the basis of experimental airborne SAR data, that this detector is capable of detecting slow moving vehicles within severe ground clutter.
Design of laser Michelson interferometer for the detection of nanolitre solution

By use of common optical equipment, a laser Michelson interferometer system that can be used for the detection of microfluidic chip is designed. A He-Ne laser beam (power of 0.5mW and diameter of about 0.7mm) is divided into a detection beam and a reference beam by a beam splitter. The reference beam is slightly expanded with a lens and has a diameter of about 1.5mm. A microfluidic chip with channel diameter of 60μm is placed in the detection arm of the interferometer. The detection beam falls on the channel of the chip. On the screen 1.6 meters far from the splitter, an interesting pattern containing both circular fringes and linear fringes is observed. Experiment shows obviously that the patterns on the screen are different when the channel is filled with air, pure water and the sodium hydroxide solution (with a refractive index of 1.343). It is indicated that the interferometer is effective for the detection of solutions as tiny as 3 nano liters with different refractive indices.
Reproducibility of Nano- and Micro-Scale Multi-Point Probe Sheet Resistance Measurements

We have investigated the reproducibility of micro- and nano-scale measurements of sheet resistance performed with micro-fabricated multi-point probes. The probes consisted of Au coated SiO 2 cantilevers extending from a Si base. The measurements were done with a four-point probe technique on thin Au films, the probe electrode spacing ranging from 18 μm to 1.5 μm. We find that the standard deviation of repeated sheet resistance measurements ranges from 0.2% at 18 μm spacing to 2.6% at 1.5 μm spacing. It is inversely proportional to the probe electrode spacing. This behaviour is expected if the resolution of the measurements is governed by the positional errors of the probe electrode tips. The corresponding standard deviation of the probe tip positions (in both lateral directions) is calculated to be approximately 20 nm. We argue that these positional errors depend on the probe cantilever amplitude at the time of contacting the surface. The amplitude is inversely proportional to the square root of the cantilever spring constant, indicating that stiff cantilevers give the best reproducibility. We estimate the limiting reproducibility of multi-point probes with nano-scale electrode spacing.
The Cell Wall Hydroxyproline-Rich Glycoprotein RSH Is Essential for Normal Embryo Development in Arabidopsis Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.010477.

Although a large number of embryo mutants have been studied, mostly at the morphological level, the critical molecular and cellular events responsible for embryogenesis are unknown. Here, we report that using an enhancer-trap embryo mutant of Arabidopsis, we identified a gene, ROOT-SHOOT-HYPOCOTYL–DEFECTIVE (RSH), that is essential for the correct positioning of the cell plate during cytokinesis in cells of the developing embryo. We traced the earliest point of influence of RSH to the first asymmetrical division of the zygote. Homozygous rsh embryos were defective morphologically, had irregular cell shape and size, and germinated to form agravitropic-defective seedlings incapable of further development. The RSH gene encodes a Hyp-rich glycoprotein–type cell wall protein. RSH localized to the cell wall throughout the embryo and to a few well-defined postembryonic sites. Although several lines of evidence from previous work suggest that the cell wall is involved in development, the protein(s) involved remained elusive.
Determination of cleavage planes and fracture characterization of Ni-based single crystal superalloys

The room temperature fracture behavior of the Ge Rene N-4, CMSX-2, and CMSX-4C single crystal Ni-based superalloys was studied. All crystals were grown along the (001) direction and tensile tested in both helium and hydrogen atmospheres. A stereoscopic technique developed for use with a scanning electron microscope was applied to determine cleavage planes. Planar gamma(') morphologies also were examined to help determine cleavage planes. Helium charged specimens failed on a number of planes including the (111), (110), and (320). In most cases planes of the (111)-type initiated at the notch region and became smaller and smaller as they moved in radially. Tensile strengths in helium averaged 1000 MPa higher than that of the hydrogen charged specimens. Specimens tested in hydrogen generally failed on (100)-type planes originating from the notch region. This (100) region comprised 60 to 80 percent of the total fracture surface on most samples and appeared as large flat planes perpendicular to the growth direction of the crystal. The interior regions contained (100)-type planes as well as (321), (320), (210), and (111)-types. Hydrogen charged specimens also showed a high percentage of large cracks oriented at 90 deg to one another, indicative of the (100)-type fracture. The Ge Rene N4 and the CMSX-4C samples contained 3-5 percent gamma/gamma(') eutectic, while the CMSX-2 samples had little or no gamma/gamma(') eutectic. The relationship between gamma/gamma(') eutectic and the fracture surface has not been fully determined, but it is thought that the gamma/gamma(') eutectic may serve as a possible trapping site for hydrogen.
Ensembl 2012

The Ensembl project (http://www.ensembl.org) provides genome resources for chordate genomes with a particular focus on human genome data as well as data for key model organisms such as mouse, rat and zebrafish. Five additional species were added in the last year including gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) and Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) bringing the total number of supported species to 61 as of Ensembl release 64 (September 2011). Of these, 55 species appear on the main Ensembl website and six species are provided on the Ensembl preview site (Pre! Ensembl; http://pre.ensembl.org) with preliminary support. The past year has also seen improvements across the project.
Delayed Neutralization of Interleukin 6 Reduces Organ Injury, Selectively Suppresses Inflammatory Mediator, and Partially Normalizes Immune Dysfunction Following Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock

ABSTRACT An excessive and uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response is associated with organ failure, immunodepression, and increased susceptibility to nosocomial infection following trauma. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a particularly prominent role in the host immune response after trauma with hemorrhage. However, as a result of its pleiotropic functions, the effect of IL-6 in trauma and hemorrhage is still controversial. It remains unclear whether suppression of IL-6 after hemorrhagic shock and trauma will attenuate organ injury and immunosuppression. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were treated with anti–mouse IL-6 monoclonal antibody immediately prior to resuscitation in an experimental model combining hemorrhagic shock and lower-extremity injury. Interleukin 6 levels and signaling were transiently suppressed following administrations of anti–IL-6 monoclonal antibody following hemorrhagic shock and lower-extremity injury. This resulted in reduced lung and liver injury, as well as suppression in the levels of key inflammatory mediators including IL-10, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and macrophage inhibitory protein 1&agr; at both 6 and 24 h. Furthermore, the shift to TH2 cytokine production and suppressed lymphocyte response were partly prevented. These results demonstrate that IL-6 is not only a biomarker but also an important driver of injury-induced inflammation and immune suppression in mice. Rapid measurement of IL-6 levels in the early phase of postinjury care could be used to guide IL-6–based interventions.
TRIM21 Is Essential to Sustain IFN Regulatory Factor 3 Activation during Antiviral Response1

Virus infection induces host antiviral responses including induction of type I IFNs. Transcription factor IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) plays an essential role and is tightly regulated in this process. Herein we report that TRIM21 (tripartite motif-containing 21) is significantly induced and interacts with IRF3 upon RNA virus infection. Ectopic expression or knockdown of TRIM21 could respectively enhance or impair IRF3-mediated gene expression. Mechanistically, TRIM21 interferes with the interaction between Pin1 (peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, NIMA-interacting 1) and IRF3, thus preventing IRF3 ubiquitination and degradation. A conserved motif in the B 30.2 domain of TRIM21 is critical for its modulation of IRF3 function, while the RING finger is dispensable. Host antiviral responses are significantly boosted or crippled in the presence or absence of TRIM21. Our results identify TRIM21 as an essential modulator of IRF3 stability and demonstrate that it positively regulates the strength and duration of primary antiviral response, thus further strengthening the notion that the TRIM family is evolutionarily integrated with innate immunity.
Nodulation Phenotypes of Gibberellin and Brassinosteroid Mutants of Pea1

The initiation and development of legume nodules induced by compatible Rhizobium species requires a complex signal exchange involving both plant and bacterial compounds. Phytohormones have been implicated in this process, although in many cases direct evidence is lacking. Here, we characterize the root and nodulation phenotypes of various mutant lines of pea (Pisum sativum) that display alterations in their phytohormone levels and/or perception. Mutants possessing root systems deficient in gibberellins (GAs) or brassinosteroids (BRs) exhibited a reduction in nodule organogenesis. The question of whether these reductions represent direct or indirect effects of the hormone deficiency is addressed. For example, the application of GA to the roots of a GA-deficient mutant completely restored its number of nodules to that of the wild type. Grafting studies revealed that a wild-type shoot or root also restored the nodule number of a GA-deficient mutant. These findings suggest that GAs are required for nodulation. In contrast, the shoot controlled the number of nodules that formed in graft combinations of a BR-deficient mutant and its wild type. The root levels of auxin and GA were similar among these latter graft combinations. These results suggest that BRs influence a shoot mechanism that controls nodulation and that the root levels of auxin and GA are not part of this process. Interestingly, a strong correlation between nodule and lateral root numbers was observed in all lines assessed, consistent with a possible overlap in the early developmental pathways of the two organs.
An OPC UA client development for monitoring and control applications

Classic OPC, released by OPC Foundation, is well accepted and applied in industrial automation, which led to many OPC products on the market from a variety of companies. However, OPC technology was based on retiring Microsoft COM/DCOM. The OPC Unified Architecture was introduced as the new generation specification with the main goal of keeping all the functionality of Classic OPC and switching from COM/DCOM technology to state -of-the-art web services. The OPC Foundation has been also developing OPC UA Toolkit that provide a collection of libraries, classes, and interfaces which make developers and programmers easy to create and implement OPC UA components. However, this toolkit is insufficient for developers and programmers to implement real monitoring and control applications from industry due to the limitations of such a toolkit, the complexity of related decision tasks and information systems, etc. In this paper, an OPC UA (Unified Architecture) client framework is proposed and developed by using OPC UA specifications, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), web services, XML, OPC UA SDK, etc. This framework minimizes the efforts of developers and programmers in learning new techniques and allows system arc hitects and designers to perform dependency analysis on the development of monitoring and control applications. The initial results from the system implemented by Visual Studio 2008 are also provided.
Three pathways of Epstein-Barr virus gene activation from EBNA1-positive latency in B lymphocytes

Previous studies on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive B-cell lines have identified two distinct forms of virus latency. Lymphoblastoid cell lines generated by virus-induced transformation of normal B cells in vitro, express the full spectrum of six EBNAs and three latent membrane proteins (LMP1, LMP2A, and LMP2B); furthermore, these lines often contain a small fraction of cells spontaneously entering the lytic cycle. In contrast, Burkitt's lymphoma-derived cell lines retaining the tumor biopsy cell phenotype express only one of the latent proteins, the nuclear antigen EBNA1; such cells do not enter the lytic cycle spontaneously but may be induced to do so by treatment with such agents as tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate and anti-immunoglobulin. The present study set out to determine whether activation of full virus latent-gene expression was a necessary accompaniment to induction of the lytic cycle in Burkitt's lymphoma lines. Detailed analysis of Burkitt's lymphoma lines responding to anti-immunoglobulin treatment revealed three response pathways of EBV gene activation from EBNA1-positive latency. A first, rapid response pathway involves direct entry of cells into the lytic cycle without broadening of the pattern of latent gene expression; thereafter, the three "latent" LMPs are expressed as early lytic cycle antigens. A second, delayed response pathway in another cell subpopulation involves the activation of full latent gene expression and conversion to a lymphoblastoidlike cell phenotype. A third response pathway in yet another subpopulation involves the selective activation of LMPs, with no induction of the lytic cycle and with EBNA expression still restricted to EBNA1; this type of latent infection in B lymphocytes has hitherto not been described. Interestingly, the EBNA1+ LMP+ cells displayed some but not all of the phenotypic changes normally induced by LMP1 expression in a B-cell environment. These studies highlight the existence of four different types of EBV infection in B cells, including three distinct forms of latency, which we now term latency I, latency II, and latency III.
Using Security and Domain Ontologies for Security Requirements Analysis

Recent research has argued about the importance of considering security during Requirements Engineering (RE) stage. Literature also emphasizes the importance of using ontologies to facilitate requirements elicitation. Ontologies are known to be rich sources of knowledge, and, being structured and equipped with reasoning features, they form a powerful tool to handle requirements. We believe that security being a multi-faceted problem, a single security ontology is not enough to guide SR Engineering (SRE) efficiently. Indeed, security ontologies only focus on technical and domain independent aspects of security. Therefore, one can hypothesize that domain knowledge is needed too. Our question is "how to combine the use of security ontologies and domain ontologies to guide requirements elicitation efficiently and effectively? " We propose a method that exploits both types of ontologies dynamically through a collection of heuristic production rules. We demonstrate that the combined use of security ontologies with domain ontologies to guide SR elicitation is more effective than just relying on security ontologies. This paper presents our method and reports a preliminary evaluation conducted through critical analysis by experts. The evaluation shows that the method provides a good balance between the genericity with respect to the ontologies (which do not need to be selected in advance), and the specificity of the elicited requirements with respect to the domain at hand.
Oberflächenqualität peritektisch erstarrender Kohlenstoffstähle : Vergleich zwischen Strangguss und Bandguss

Peritectic carbon steels, produced by conventional continuous casting, show slab surface defects as a consequence of the shrinkage caused by the δ ⇒ γ transformation. Unsteady heat flux conditions between strand shell and mould plate leads to an irregular solidification. By following the hypothesis, that the cooling rate has an effect to the peritectic reaction, twin roll strip cast trials were done at a pilot strip caster at RWTH Aachen University. Local cooling rates of -1000 K/s in combination with an eightfold higher heat flux compared to continuous casting are typical for strip casting process. The indication for effects from the strip casting process to the peritectic reaction was on the one hand the steady heat flux and on the other hand the strip surface quality. Trials were performed in 3 campaigns with the chemical analyses of peritectic carbon steels known from continuous casting. The campaigns just distinguish between the casting roll surfaces structure and the range of carbon content. All other process parameters were constant. The casting roll surface was developed from a fine, hexagonal open structure to a coarse hexagonal structure. The structure is regular and was produced by knurling. The carbon range was 0.06 to 0.17 wt %. The result of the 1 campaign was that nearly all strips were attack by many cracks. The number of cracks rises to higher carbon content up to 0.17 wt %. The maximum of defects around 0.1 wt % of carbon, known from continuous casting, was not found. By proofing the strip surfaces, it was found out that the steel melt didn’t wet the roll surface intensive. An unsteady solidification process was the result. The results of the 2 campaign were different. Just very few cracks were remaining at the strip surfaces. No dependence between carbon content and number of crack were found. Once again the critical range around 0.1 wt % carbon wasn’t noticeable by strips produced with the twin roll casting process. The important different in comparison to the first campaign was an excellent wetting behaviour between steel melt and roll surface. An imprint of the roll surface structure was found at all strip surfaces. A homogenous heat flux and solidification condition exists. The results of the 3 series, performed with a further regular roll surface structure, confirm the above explained facts. The geometric shape and adjustment were again diversifying to coarser values. The work could demonstrate that the twin roll process is suitable for the production of peritectic carbon steel grades. The key factor for solidification and heat flux is the wetting condition at the roll surface. Steel specific roll surface structures are required.
Revisiter le couplage traitement automatique des langues et recherche d'information

La principale difficulte des systemes de recherche d'information (SRI) est d'etablir une correspondance entre l'information recherchee par un utilisateur et celle contenue dans leur base documentaire. Pour y parvenir, ils tentent generalement un appariement des mots de la requete posee avec ceux representant le contenu des documents. Un tel mecanisme, fonde sur une simple comparaison de chaines de caracteres, ne permet cependant pas de prendre en compte le fait qu'un meme mot peut posseder plusieurs sens et qu'une meme idee peut etre formulee de differentes manieres. Pour pallier ces difficultes, une solution assez naturelle est de se tourner vers le traitement automatique des langues (TAL) qui, en considerant les mots non comme des chaines de caracteres mais comme des entites linguistiques a part entiere, doit offrir un appariement requete-document plus pertinent. Les resultats des nombreux travaux proposant d'enrichir la RI par des informations linguistiques sont toutefois souvent decevants, peu tranches et contradictoires. Pour comprendre ces faibles resultats et savoir comment les ameliorer, nous abordons le couplage TAL-RI sous des angles nouveaux. Contrairement aux autres etudes, nous choisissons d'exploiter pleinement la richesse de la langue en combinant plusieurs informations linguistiques appartenant aux niveaux morphologique, syntaxique et semantique. Afin de tester l'interet de coupler ces informations, nous proposons une plate-forme integrant en parallele ces multiples indices ; elle conduit a montrer l'apport significatif et tranche de plusieurs de ces connaissances, et, via une analyse originale des correlations qu'elles presentent, des cas de complementarite interessants. Grâce a une methode d'apprentissage supervise qui fusionne les listes de resultats fournis par chaque index linguistique et s'adapte automatiquement aux caracteristiques des requetes, nous prouvons, par des resultats plus stables qu'habituellement, le gain effectif du couplage d'informations linguistiques multi-niveaux. Enfin, nous proposons une methode novatrice d'acquisition par apprentissage non supervise d'informations morphologiques qui permet d'accroitre encore l'impact de ces connaissances efficaces sur les performances de notre SRI. Nous montrons ainsi qu'en construisant des outils plus souples et plus adaptes aux contraintes de la RI, l'apport du TAL dans ce domaine est reel.
Methodology for Efficient Substrate Noise Analysis in Large-Scale Mixed-Signal Circuits

A methodology is proposed to efficiently analyze substrate noise coupled to a sensitive block due to an aggressor digital block in large-scale mixed-signal circuits. The methodology is based on identifying voltage domains on the substrate by exploiting the small spatial voltage differences on the ground distribution network of the aggressor circuit. Specifically, similarly biased regions on the substrate short-circuited by the ground network are determined, and each of these regions is represented by a single equivalent input port to the substrate. The remaining ports within that domain are ignored to reduce the computational complexity of the extraction process. An algorithm with linear time complexity is proposed to merge those substrate contacts exhibiting a voltage difference smaller than a specified value, identifying a voltage domain. An equivalent contact is placed at the geometric mean of the merged contacts, ignoring all of the remaining ports such as the source/drain junctions of the devices. The ground network impedance is updated for each merged contact based on the proposed algorithm to maintain sufficient accuracy of the noise voltage. The substrate with reduced input ports is extracted using an existing extraction tool to analyze the noise at the sense node. As compared to the full extraction of an aggressor circuit, the methodology achieves a reduction of more than four orders of magnitude in the number of extracted substrate resistors with a peak-to-peak error of 24%.