Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Wideband 20 mW UHF Rectifier in CMOS

This letter presents the first CMOSFET RF-to-DC Rectifier IC which delivers more than 10 mW dc power at GHz frequency. This IC utilizes the single-ended In-phase Gate-boosting Rectifier (IGR) architecture, and its In-Phase Voltage Multiplier (IPVM) is derived from a λ/2 transmission line to boost in-phase VGS from the driving VDS. This simultaneously reduces the effective threshold voltage, forward resistance, and reverse leakage current of the rectifying transistors. To improve an IGR's performance, both RF source-pull and dc load-pull are carried out to find the optimal performance. The UHF IGR is implemented using thick-gate-oxide I/O transistors with 0.28 μm minimum gate length in TSMC 65 nm CMOS process. The implemented IC achieves a 20 mW output dc power with 31.8% peak efficiency at 900 MHz with 200 MHz 1 dB bandwidth.
Indirect Estimation of Signal-Dependent Noise With Nonadaptive Heterogeneous Samples

We consider the estimation of signal-dependent noise from a single image. Unlike conventional algorithms that build a scatterplot of local mean-variance pairs from either small or adaptively selected homogeneous data samples, our proposed approach relies on arbitrarily large patches of heterogeneous data extracted at random from the image. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach through an extensive theoretical analysis based on mixture of Gaussian distributions. A prototype algorithm is also developed in order to validate the approach on simulated data as well as on real camera raw images.
Measurement of Concrete Strength Using the Emission Intensity Ratio between Ca(II) 396.8 nm and Ca(I) 422.6 nm in a Nd:YAG Laser-Induced Plasma

An experiment to investigate the potential of a laser-induced plasma method for determining concrete compressive strength was conducted by focusing a Nd:YAG laser on concrete samples with different degrees of compressive strength. This technique was developed in light of the role of the shock wave in the generation of a laser-induced plasma. It was found that the speed of the shock front depends on the hardness of the sample. It was also found that a positive relationship exists between the speed of the shock front and the ionization rate of the ablated atoms. Hence, the ratio of the intensity between the Ca(II) 396.8 nm and Ca(I) 422.6 nm emission lines detected from the laser-induced plasma can be used to examine the hardness of the material. In fact, it was observed that the ratio changes with respect to the change in the concrete compressive strength. The findings also show that the ratio increases with time after the cement is mixed with water.
ChinAllomeTree 1.0: China's normalized tree biomass equation 
dataset

Abstract. The tree biomass equation, which is also called the tree allometric equation, is the most commonly used method to estimate tree and forest biomass at various spatial-temporal scales because of its high accuracy, efficiency and conciseness. For decades, many tree biomass equations have been reported in diverse types of literature (e.g., journals, books and reports). These scattered equations are being compiled, and tree biomass equation datasets are currently available for many geographical regions (e.g., Europe, North America and Sub-Saharan Africa) and countries (e.g., Australia, Indonesia and Mexico) except for in an important region of the world, Eastern Asia, specifically China. Therefore, in this study, we carried out an extensive survey and critical review of the literature (from 1978–2013) on biomass equations conducted in China and developed China’s normalized tree biomass equation dataset (ChinAllomeTree version 1.0). This dataset consists of 5,924 biomass component equations for nearly 200 species and their associated background information (e.g., geographical location, climate and stand description), showing sound geographical, climatic and forest vegetation coverages across China. The dataset is freely available at https://doi.pangaea. de/10.1594/PANGAEA.895244 for noncommercial scientific applications, which fills an important regional gap in global biomass datasets and provides key parameters for biomass estimation in forest inventory and carbon accounting in China.
GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICAN LONG-FINGERED BATS, WITH A GLOBAL MINIOPTERINE PHYLOGENY

Abstract The Natal long-fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis) and lesser long-fingered bat (M. fraterculus) are morphologically almost indistinguishable and occur sympatrically over much of their southern African range. This raises the possibility that they are sister taxa. We employed a multidisciplinary approach to examine their taxonomic relationship to one another and to other Miniopterus species, whose global phylogeny requires review. We examined echolocation, morphological, and dietary differences between M. natalensis and M. fraterculus, as well as both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA variation between them in the context of a phylogeny incorporating 13 Miniopterus species and subspecies. Despite similarities in their morphology and distribution, M. natalensis and M. fraterculus echolocate at peak frequencies separated by 12 kHz, and both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers confirm they are distinct species. Analysis of cytochrome-b (Cytb) sequences further indicates that M. fraterculus and M. natalensis are not sister taxa; M. fraterculus appears to be more closely related to the greater long-fingered bat (M. inflatus). Examination of the global taxonomy of Miniopterus confirms that Schreibers's long-fingered bat (M. schreibersii) forms a paraphyletic species complex. Furthermore, the miniopterine bats are divided into 2 geographically isolated monophyletic groups, one containing African and European species, and the other taxa from Australasia and Asia. Cytb sequence divergence also suggests that M. natalensis is distinct from the European M. schreibersii. These results support the elevation of M. natalensis to full species rank.
The Caenorhabditis elegans GARP complex contains the conserved Vps51 subunit and is required to maintain lysosomal morphology

Functional characterization of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex in Caenorhabditis elegans has led to the identification of the conserved metazoan Vps51 subunit. It is found that GARP mutants lead to abnormal lysosomal morphology, GARP subunits interact with a distinct set of Golgi SNAREs, and GARP and GOG complexes show functional overlap.
Managing Security in FPGA-Based Embedded Systems

FPGAs combine the programmability of processors with the performance of custom hardware. As they become more common in critical embedded systems, new techniques are necessary to manage security in FPGA designs. This article discusses FPGA security problems and current research on reconfigurable devices and security, and presents security primitives and a component architecture for building highly secure systems on FPGAs.
Research on the field coverage generated by antennas in confined space

In this paper, field coverage generated by antenna locating in rectangular tunnel is studied. Ray tracing method is utilized to simulate the wave propagation in tunnel environment, the correctness of the method is validated by FDTD method and measurement. After verification, the influence of antenna position, beam direction and beam width on the field distribution is analyzed and discussed. The effect mechanism of antenna pattern on the field distribution in tunnel is studied. A hybrid approach which contains ray tracing method and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed to optimize the antenna radiation pattern, orientation and location in the tunnel environment, the objective is to generate uniform field coverage in the tunnel.
In vivo dynamics of skeletal muscle Dystrophin in zebrafish embryos revealed by improved FRAP analysis

Dystrophin forms an essential link between sarcolemma and cytoskeleton, perturbation of which causes muscular dystrophy. We analysed Dystrophin binding dynamics in vivo for the first time. Within maturing fibres of host zebrafish embryos, our analysis reveals a pool of diffusible Dystrophin and complexes bound at the fibre membrane. Combining modelling, an improved FRAP methodology and direct semi-quantitative analysis of bleaching suggests the existence of two membrane-bound Dystrophin populations with widely differing bound lifetimes: a stable, tightly bound pool, and a dynamic bound pool with high turnover rate that exchanges with the cytoplasmic pool. The three populations were found consistently in human and zebrafish Dystrophins overexpressed in wild-type or dmd zebrafish embryos, which lack Dystrophin, and in Gt (dmd-Citrine) that express endogenously-driven tagged zebrafish Dystrophin. These results lead to a new model for Dystrophin membrane association in developing muscle, and highlight our methodology as a valuable strategy for in vivo analysis of complex protein dynamics. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.06541. 00
Evaluation of uterine antioxidants in bitches suffering from cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex (CEH-P) is a common disease in sexually mature bitches. Disease progression leads to oxidative stress, resulting in the depletion of uterine antioxidants and lipid peroxidation of associated cells, which further aggravates the condition. The concentration of antioxidant enzymes, the level of lipid peroxidation within the uterine tissue, and its reflection in the serum and urine need to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyze the concentration of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the lipid peroxidation marker malonaldehyde (MDA) in three types of samples, i.e., serum, urine, and uterine tissue. For this purpose, 58 pyometra-affected and 44 healthy bitches were included in the present study. All animals underwent ovariohysterectomy (OVH). Our data indicated highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the antioxidant concentrations of uterine, serum and urine samples. Furthermore, there was a highly significant (p<0.01) difference in the serum levels of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) indicated poor capacity to overcome oxidative stress in the CEH-Pyometra condition. We showed that CEH-P induces oxidative stress, which further depletes the antioxidant enzyme reserves in the uterus. Thus, the weak antioxidant defence predisposes to uterine damage and disease progression. The simultaneous depletion of antioxidants and an increase in lipid peroxidation in the serum and urine may also act as early indicators of uterine pathology.
WNTERM: Enriching the MCR with a Terminological Dictionary

In this paper we describe the methodology and the first steps for the creation of WNTERM (from WordNet and Terminology), a specialized lexicon produced from the merger of the EuroWordNet-based Multilingual Central Repository (MCR) and the Basic Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Science and Technology (BDST). As an example, the ecology domain has been used. The final result is a multilingual (Basque and English) light-weight domain ontology, including taxonomic and other semantic relations among its concepts, which is tightly connected to other wordnets.
Surface texturing and patterning in solar cells

Surface texture can perform a number of functions in modern solar cell design. The most obvious function is in control of reflection from surfaces on which sunlight is incident. However, texture can also be used to influence the fate of light that is refracted into the cell. Light steering by surface texture can ensure this refracted light is absorbed in regions of the cell which are most responsive. When used with rear reflectors, surface texture can help trap weakly absorbed light into the cell, increasing the effective pathlength or optical thickness of the cell by factors of 30-60. Two general types of texture are considered. One involves macroscopic features of controlled shape designed to control the direction of interacting light. The other is based on the use of irregular features of size comparable to wavelength of the light. These can be very effective in scattering light into a wide range of directions. Non-optical uses of texture are also briefly described. 62 refs., 22 figs.
State-of-the-art remote characterization of shallow marine sediments: the road to a fully integrated solution

Current methods for characterizing near-surface marine sediments rely on extensive coring/penetrometer testing and correlation to seismic facies. Little quantitative information is regularly derived from geophysical data beyond qualitative inferences of sediment characteristics based on seismic facies architecture. Even these fundamental seismostratigraphic interpretations can be difficult to correlate with lithostratigraphic data due to inaccuracies in the time-to-depth conversion of geophysical data and potential loss and/or compression of high-porosity and under-consolidated seafloor material during direct sampling. To complicate matters further, when quantitative information is derived from marine geophysical data, it often describes the sediments using terminology (e.g., acoustic impedance and seismic quality factor) that is impenetrable to geologists and engineers. In contrast, for hydrocarbon prospecting, reservoir characterization using quantitative inversion of geophysical data has developed enormously over the past 20 years or more. Impedance and amplitude- versus-angle inversion techniques are now commonplace, whereas computationally expensive waveform inversions are gaining traction, and there is a well-developed interface between these geophysical and reservoir engineering fields via rock physics. In this paper, we collate and review the different published inversion methods for high-resolution geophysical data. Using several case study examples spanning a broad range of depositional environments, we assess the current state of the art in remote characterization of shallow sediments from a multidisciplinary viewpoint, encompassing geophysical, geological, and geotechnical angles. By identifying the key parameters used to characterize the subsurface, a framework is developed whereby geological, geotechnical, and geophysical characterizations of the subsurface can be related in a less subjective manner. As part of this, we examine the sensitivity of commonly derived acoustic properties (e.g., acoustic impedance and seismic quality factor) to more fundamentally important soil properties (e.g., lithology, pore pressure, gas saturation, and undrained shear strength), thereby facilitating better integration between geological, geotechnical, and geophysical data for improved mapping of sediment properties. Ultimately, we present a number of ideas for future research activities in this field.
Real-Time Intracellular Ca2+ Mobilization by Travoprost Acid, Bimatoprost, Unoprostone, and Other Analogs via Endogenous Mouse, Rat, and Cloned Human FP Prostaglandin Receptors

The ability of a number of prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) analogs to mobilize intracellular Ca2+ [Ca2+]i and to compete for [3H]PGF2α binding to prostaglandin F2α receptors (FP) was evaluated. Radioligand binding studies measuring displacement of [3H]PGF2αby a variety of FP prostaglandin analogs yielded the following rank order of affinities: travoprost acid [(+)-16-m-trifluorophenoxy tetranor PGF2α; (+)-fluprostenol] > bimatoprost acid (17-phenyl-trinor PGF2α) ≫ unoprostone (13,14-dihydro-15-keto-20-ethyl PGF2α) = bimatoprost (17-phenyl-trinor PGF2α ethyl amide) ≥ Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution). In FP functional studies, travoprost acid (EC50 = 17.5–37 nM, n = 13), bimatoprost acid (EC50 = 23.3–49.0 nM,n = 6–12), unoprostone (EC50 = 306-1270 nM, n = 4–8), bimatoprost (EC50 = 3070- 3940 nM, n = 4–9), and Lumigan (EC50 = 1470–3190 nM,n = 5–9) concentration dependently stimulated [Ca2+]i mobilization via the rat (A7r5 cells), mouse (3T3 cells), and cloned human ocular FP prostanoid receptors. The rank order of potency of these compounds at the FP receptor of the three species was similar and in good agreement with the determined binding affinities. The agonist effects of these compounds were concentration dependently blocked by the FP receptor-selective antagonist, AL-8810 (11β-fluoro-15-epi-15-indanyl-tetranor PGF2α) (K i = 0.6–1.3 μM). These studies have demonstrated that bimatoprost, unoprostone, and bimatoprost acid possess direct agonist activities at the rat, mouse, and human FP prostanoid receptor and that travoprost acid is the most potent of the synthetic FP prostaglandin analogs tested.
Are Inventory Based and Remotely Sensed Above-Ground Biomass Estimates Consistent?

Carbon emissions resulting from deforestation and forest degradation are poorly known at local, national and global scales. In part, this lack of knowledge results from uncertain above-ground biomass estimates. It is generally assumed that using more sophisticated methods of estimating above-ground biomass, which make use of remote sensing, will improve accuracy. We examine this assumption by calculating, and then comparing, above-ground biomass area density (AGBD) estimates from studies with differing levels of methodological sophistication. We consider estimates based on information from nine different studies at the scale of Africa, Mozambique and a 1160 km2 study area within Mozambique. The true AGBD is not known for these scales and so accuracy cannot be determined. Instead we consider the overall precision of estimates by grouping different studies. Since an the accuracy of an estimate cannot exceed its precision, this approach provides an upper limit on the overall accuracy of the group. This reveals poor precision at all scales, even between studies that are based on conceptually similar approaches. Mean AGBD estimates for Africa vary from 19.9 to 44.3 Mg ha−1, for Mozambique from 12.7 to 68.3 Mg ha−1, and for the 1160 km2 study area estimates range from 35.6 to 102.4 Mg ha−1. The original uncertainty estimates for each study, when available, are generally small in comparison with the differences between mean biomass estimates of different studies. We find that increasing methodological sophistication does not appear to result in improved precision of AGBD estimates, and moreover, inadequate estimates of uncertainty obscure any improvements in accuracy. Therefore, despite the clear advantages of remote sensing, there is a need to improve remotely sensed AGBD estimates if they are to provide accurate information on above-ground biomass. In particular, more robust and comprehensive uncertainty estimates are needed.
Indole-3-lactic acid as a tryptophan metabolite produced by Bifidobacterium spp

Fifty-one strains of the genus Bifidobacterium have been found to accumulate indole-3-lactic acid in culture broth. The isolated metabolite was identified through mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All the microorganisms tested, as resting cells, have been shown to be able to convert L-tryptophan into L-indole-3-lactic acid.
Mycoreovirus Genome Alterations: Similarities to and Differences from Rearrangements Reported for Other Reoviruses

The family Reoviridae is one of the largest virus families with genomes composed of 9–12 double-stranded RNA segments. It includes members infecting organisms from protists to humans. It is well known that reovirus genomes are prone to various types of genome alterations including intragenic rearrangement and reassortment under laboratory and natural conditions. Recently distinct genetic alterations were reported for members of the genus Mycoreovirus, Mycoreovirus 1 (MyRV1), and MyRV3 with 11 (S1–S11) and 12 genome segments (S1–S12), respectively. While MyRV3 S8 is lost during subculturing of infected host fungal strains, MyRV1 rearrangements undergo alterations spontaneously and inducibly. The inducible MyRV1 rearrangements are different from any other previous examples of reovirus rearrangements in their dependence on an unrelated virus factor, a multifunctional protein, p29, encoded by a distinct virus Cryphonectria parasitica hypovirus 1 (CHV1). A total of 5 MyRV1 variants with genome rearranged segments (S1–S3, S6 and S10) are generated in the background of a single viral strain in the presence of CHV1 p29 supplied either transgenically or by coinfection. MyRV1 S4 and S10 are rearranged, albeit very infrequently, in a CHV1 p29 independent fashion. A variant of MyRV1 with substantial deletions in both S4 and S10, generated through a combined reassortment and rearrangement approach, shows comparable replication levels to the wild-type MyRV1. In vivo and in vitro interactions of CHV1 p29 and MyRV1 VP9 are implicated in the induction of MyRV1 rearrangements. However, the mechanism underlying p29-mediated rearrangements remains largely unknown. MyRV1 S4 rearrangements spontaneously occurred independently of CHV1 p29. In the absence of reverse genetics systems for mycoreoviruses, molecular and biological characterization of these MyRV1 and MyRV3 variants contribute to functional analyses of the protein products encoded by those rearranged segments.
Random probing to approximate medial axes and plan safe motion

We propose a novel approach to planning the safe motion of a robot - the motion is considered safe if the robot stays as distant as possible from the nearest obstacle. The approach is based on approximating the medial axis of the free configuration space through randomized probes of the full configuration space. Experiments with 2- and 3-DOF manipulators show that the approach generates longer but significantly safer motion when compared with naive planning to simply finds a shortest motion. In addition, once preprocessing is complete our approach spends much less time planning motion than the naive one. As it is based on probing randomly, rather than at points on a grid, our approach promises to extend effectively to robots with many DOF.