Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-Resolved Pump-Probe Investigation of the Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser

The terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum remains relatively underdeveloped and unexploited. This is due to the lack of compact and high-power sources which are able to output radiation between 100 GHz and 10 THz. In this thesis two separate methods of generating THz radiation are considered; the quantum cascade laser (QCL) and the photoconductive (PC) emitter. THz-QCLs generate radiation through the intersubband transition of electrons within quantum wells. Electrons are then transported into the adjacent quantum well, where they are recycled. Alternatively, PC emitters generate THz radiation through the excitation, acceleration and recombination of electron-hole pairs in semiconducting material, leading to the emission of short pulse THz radiation. In this work, the gain dynamics of two different designs of THz-QCL are investigated using well-established time domain spectroscopy (TDS) techniques. The gain recovery time of a bound-to-continuum (BTC) device, a property known to be responsible for the prevention of mode-locking in the laser, is recovered through use of THz-pump-THz-probe TDS. This was performed multiple times, both with and without anti-reflective coating applied to the QCL facets. This coating prevents the QCL from lasing. Furthermore, this approach was then used to investigate the carrier dynamics of a hybrid active region device, which yielded some interesting preliminary results. To facilitate these measurements, a new form of quartz-mounted PC device was designed and fabricated. This entails removing the LT-GaAs active layer from its SI-GaAs growth substrate and bonding it directly to a layer of z-cut quartz. In emission, this device has been shown to produce significantly higher THz output fields, when compared to the previously used PC devices. In addition to this, the use of an optically transparent substrate provides the ability to perform back-side illumination, which is shown to improve the output characteristics of the device. Furthermore, when used in detection, the newly fabricated devices have shown significantly increased sensitivity, when compared to other methods of detection.
Application of convolutional neural networks for visibility estimation of CCTV images

In this paper we discuss the possibility of application of a Convolutional Neural Network for visual atmospheric visibility estimation. A system utilizing such a neural network can greatly benefit a smart city by providing real time localized visibility data across all highways and roads by utilizing a dense network of traffic and security cameras that exist in most developed urban areas. To achieve this, we implemented a Convolutional Neural Network with 3 convolution layers and trained it on a data set taken from CCTV cameras in South Korea. This approach allowed us achieve accuracy above 84%. In the paper we describe the network structure and training process, as well as some final thoughts on the next steps in our research.
Training Person-Specific Gaze Estimators from User Interactions with Multiple Devices

Learning-based gaze estimation has significant potential to enable attentive user interfaces and gaze-based interaction on the billions of camera-equipped handheld devices and ambient displays. While training accurate person- and device-independent gaze estimators remains challenging, person-specific training is feasible but requires tedious data collection for each target device. To address these limitations, we present the first method to train person-specific gaze estimators across multiple devices. At the core of our method is a single convolutional neural network with shared feature extraction layers and device-specific branches that we train from face images and corresponding on-screen gaze locations. Detailed evaluations on a new dataset of interactions with five common devices (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, smart TV) and three common applications (mobile game, text editing, media center) demonstrate the significant potential of cross-device training. We further explore training with gaze locations derived from natural interactions, such as mouse or touch input.
Diversity of Growth Patterns Probed in Live Cyanobacterial Cells Using a Fluorescent Analog of a Peptidoglycan Precursor

Cyanobacteria were the first oxygenic photosynthetic organisms during evolution and were ancestors of plastids. Cyanobacterial cells exhibit an extraordinary diversity in their size and shape, and bacterial cell morphology largely depends on the synthesis and the dynamics of the peptidoglycan (PG) layer. Here, we used a fluorescence analog of the PG synthesis precursor D-Ala, 7-Hydroxycoumarin-amino-D-alanine (HADA), to probe the PG synthesis pattern in live cells of cyanobacteria with different morphology. They displayed diverse synthesis patterns, with some strains showing an intensive HADA incorporation at the septal region, whereas others gave an HADA signal distributed around the cells. Growth zones covering several cells at the tips of the filament were present in some filamentous strains such as in Arthrospira. In Anabaena PCC 7120, which is capable of differentiating heterocysts for N2 fixation, PG synthesis followed the cell division cycle. In addition, an HADA incorporation was strongly activated from 12 to 15 h following the initiation of heterocyst development, indicating a thickening of the PG layer in heterocysts. The PG synthesis pattern is diverse in cyanobacteria and responds to developmental regulation. The use of fluorescent analogs may serve as a useful tool for understanding the mechanisms of cell growth and morphogenesis operating in these organisms.
Argon offline-AMS source apportionment of organic aerosol over yearly cycles for an urban, rural, and marine site in northern Europe

Abstract. The widespread use of Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometers (AMS) has greatly improved real-time organic aerosol (OA) monitoring, providing mass spectra that contain sufficient information for source apportionment. However, AMS field deployments remain expensive and demanding, limiting the acquisition of long-term datasets at many sampling sites. The offline application of aerosol mass spectrometry entailing the analysis of nebulized water extracted filter samples (offline-AMS) increases the spatial coverage accessible to AMS measurements, being filters routinely collected at many stations worldwide. PM1 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter 1 but is also dependent on season, with lower values in winter than in summer. AMS WSOA spectra were analyzed using positive matrix factorization (PMF), which yielded four factors. These factors included biomass burning OA (BBOA), local OA (LOA) contributing significantly only in Vilnius, and two oxygenated OA (OOA) factors, summer OOA (S-OOA) and background OOA (B-OOA), distinguished by their seasonal variability. The contribution of traffic exhaust OA (TEOA) was not resolved by PMF due to both low concentrations and low water solubility. Therefore, the TEOA concentration was estimated using a chemical mass balance approach, based on the concentrations of hopanes, specific markers of traffic emissions. AMS-PMF source apportionment results were consistent with those obtained from PMF applied to marker concentrations (i.e., major inorganic ions, OC / EC, and organic markers including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives, hopanes, long-chain alkanes, monosaccharides, anhydrous sugars, and lignin fragmentation products). OA was the largest fraction of PM1 and was dominated by BBOA during winter with an average concentration of 2 µg m−3 (53 % of OM), while S-OOA, probably related to biogenic emissions, was the prevalent OA component during summer with an average concentration of 1.2 µg m−3 (45 % of OM). PMF ascribed a large part of the CO+ explained variability (97 %) to the OOA and BBOA factors. Accordingly, we discuss a new CO+ parameterization as a function of CO2+ and C2H4O2+ fragments, which were selected to describe the variability of the OOA and BBOA factors.
Long-Term Outperformance of Equity Carve-Outs?— Evidence from Germany

While there has been done a lot of empirical research on IPO performance in general only Prezas et al. [1] focus on equity carve-outs (ECOs) in comparison to common IPOs from an investor’s point of view. ECOs are an often applied divestment alternative used by technology companies to refocus their core businesses. Our note is claiming to extent this distinct literature in two ways. Firstly, we add new insight from a European market, namely Germany, and secondly, we apply a wider methodological spectrum to compare IPOs and ECOs. We find that controlling for the specific return characteristics of IPOs there remain hardly any sig-nificant performance divergences between the two samples.
Levistolide A Induces Apoptosis via ROS-Mediated ER Stress Pathway in Colon Cancer Cells

Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Levistolide A (LA), a natural compound isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, is used for treating cancer. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect of LA in HCT116 and its isogenic p53-/- colon cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods: MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of LA on the viability of cancer cells. Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the cells were determined by flow cytometry. Protein expression was detected by western blotting. Results: The results showed that LA inhibited viability and caused apoptosis of both wild-type and p53-/- HCT116 cells. LA was able to trigger production of ROS and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Inhibition of ROS using N-acetylcysteine abrogated LA-induced ER stress and apoptosis, as well as the reduction in cancer cell viability. Conclusion: Our results indicate that LA causes apoptosis of colon cancer cells via ROS-mediated ER stress pathway. It will be interesting to develop the natural compound for chemotherapy of cancers such as CRC.
iTurk: Turning Passive Haptics into Active Haptics by Making Users Reconfigure Props in Virtual Reality

We present a system that complements virtual reality experiences with passive props, yet still allows modifying the virtual world at runtime. The main contribution of our system is that it does not require any actuators; instead, our system employs the user to reconfigure and actuate otherwise passive props. We demonstrate a foldable prop that users reconfigure to represent a suitcase, fuse cabinet, railing, and a seat. A second prop, suspended from a long pendulum, not only stands in for inanimate objects, but also for objects that move and demonstrate proactive behavior, such as a group of flying droids that physically attack the user. Our approach conveys a sense of a living, animate world, when in reality the user is the only animate entity present in the system, complemented with only one or two physical props. In our study, participants rated their experience as more enjoyable and realistic than a corresponding no-haptics condition.
Sophora flavescens Aiton Decreases MPP+-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in SH-SY5Y Cells

Sophora flavescens Aiton (SF) has been used to treat various diseases including fever and inflammation in China, South Korea and Japan. Several recent reports have shown that SF has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, indicating that it is a promising candidate for treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We evaluated the protective effect of SF against neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, an in vitro PD model. SH-SY5Y cells were incubated with SF for 24 h, after which they were treated with MPP+. MPP+-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis were confirmed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling assay. MitoSOX red mitochondrial superoxide indicator, tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester perchlorate and Parkin, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and DJ-1 immunofluorescent staining were conducted to confirm the mitochondrial function. In addition, western blot was performed to evaluate apoptosis factors (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and cytochrome c) and mitochondrial function-related factors (Parkin, PINK1 and DJ-1). SF suppressed MPP+-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential by inhibiting the increase of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and DNA fragmentation, and controlling Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and cytochrome c expression. Moreover, it attenuated Parkin, PINK1 and DJ-1 expression from MPP+-induced decrease. SF effectively suppressed MPP+-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating generation of ROS, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and loss or mutation of mitochondria-related PD markers including Parkin, PINK1 and DJ-1.
Multi-Touch Skin: A Thin and Flexible Multi-Touch Sensor for On-Skin Input

Skin-based touch input opens up new opportunities for direct, subtle, and expressive interaction. However, existing skin-worn sensors are restricted to single-touch input and limited by a low resolution. We present the first skin overlay that can capture high-resolution multi-touch input. Our main contributions are: 1) Based on an exploration of functional materials, we present a fabrication approach for printing thin and flexible multi-touch sensors for on-skin interactions. 2) We present the first non-rectangular multi-touch sensor overlay for use on skin and introduce a design tool that generates such sensors in custom shapes and sizes. 3) To validate the feasibility and versatility of our approach, we present four application examples and empirical results from two technical evaluations. They confirm that the sensor achieves a high signal-to-noise ratio on the body under various grounding conditions and has a high spatial accuracy even when subjected to strong deformations.
A Population-based Analysis of the Influence of Religious Affiliation on Alcohol Consumption among Jamaicans

Background: Religion sometimes shapes behaviours and experiences of its members including alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the possible influence of religious affiliation on alcohol consumption in Jamaica since they are predominantly Christians. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we analysed data from National Household Survey 2,016 of 4,623 participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS. Results: Out of the 4,623 participants, majority 3,244 (70.2%) were above the age of 26 years and of Christian religion 3,737 (80.8%). Christian religious affiliation was significantly associated with past year and past month use of alcohol (AOR= 1.44, 95% CI=1.14-1.82 and AOR =1.34, 95% CI=1.03- 1.74 respectively). Being a male (AOR= 2.95, 95% CI=2.51- 3.47), and employed (AOR= 2.11, 95% CI= 1.49- 2.98) were significant risk factors for lifetime alcohol consumption. Age 12 – 17 years (AOR= 0.30, 95% CI=0.21- 0.43) and attaining primary education level (AOR=0.60, 95% CI=0.45-0.80) were protective factors against lifetime alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Being of Christian religion was significantly, positively associated with past year and past month alcohol consumption. Male gender and being employed were also risk factors for lifetime alcohol consumption.
Microfluidic-assisted silk nanoparticle tuning

Silk is now making inroads into advanced pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Both bottom-up and top-down approaches can be applied to silk and the resulting aqueous silk solution can be processed into a range of material formats, including nanoparticles. Here, we demonstrate the potential of microfluidics for the continuous production of silk nanoparticles with tuned particle characteristics. Our microfluidic-based design ensured efficient mixing of different solvent phases at the nanoliter scale, in addition to controlling the solvent ratio and flow rates. The total flow rate and aqueous : solvent ratios were important parameters affecting yield (1 mL min−1 > 12 mL min−1). The ratios also affected size and stability; a solvent : aqueous total flow ratio of 5 : 1 efficiently generated spherical nanoparticles 110 and 215 nm in size that were stable in water and had a high beta-sheet content. These 110 and 215 nm silk nanoparticles were not cytotoxic (IC50 > 100 μg mL−1) but showed size-dependent cellular trafficking. Overall, microfluidic-assisted silk nanoparticle manufacture is a promising platform that allows control of the silk nanoparticle properties by manipulation of the processing variables.
A novel method to predict moisture in cellulosic insulation of power transformer with improved accuracy using time domain spectroscopy data

Researchers have shown that analysis of Time Domain Spectroscopy (TDS) data is an effective tool for condition assessment of oil-paper insulation system. Among various TDS data, Polarization-Depolarization Current (PDC) has gained popularity in recent times. Accuracy of non-invasive technique (like analysis of PDC data) has always been a topic of concern among utilities. This accuracy can be improved by better understanding of dielectric response function as a function of paper-moisture content and aging byproducts. In this research work, a non-linear relation between paper-moisture and some commonly measured insulation sensitive performance parameters is reported. Related analysis presented in the paper show that the proposed relationship, compared to other existing techniques, is capable of providing better accuracy in predicting paper-moisture value. The proposed technique is tested using data collected from several laboratory samples.
n–3 Fatty acid erythrocyte membrane content, APOE (cid:1) 4, and cognitive variation: an observational follow-up study in late adulthood 1–3

Background: Evidence for an inverse relation between dietary intake of n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and age-related cognitive decline is inconsistent. This inconsistency may arise be-causetherelationispresentonlyintheabsenceoftheapolipoproteinE (cid:1) 4 ( APOE (cid:1) 4) allele. Objective: We aimed to determine the contribution of erythrocyte n–3 PUFA content to cognitive aging in the presence or absence of the APOE (cid:1) 4 allele. Design: We followed up 120 volunteers, born in 1936, at approxi-mate ages of 64, 66, and 68 y. Their intelligence quotient at 11 y old was available. At first follow-up, we determined APOE genotype and measured the PUFA composition of erythrocyte membranes. Six cognitive tests were administered at all follow-ups. We related cognitiveperformanceat (cid:1) 64yoldandcognitivechangesfrom (cid:1) 64 to (cid:1) 68 y old to erythrocyte n–3 PUFA composition on recruitment and to APOE (cid:1) 4 allele status. Results: Total n–3 PUFA and docosohexaenoic acid concentrations were associated with benefits for cognition at (cid:1) 64 y old and from (cid:1) 64 to (cid:1) 68 y old. After adjustment for sex, APOE (cid:1) 4 status, and intelligence quotient at 11 y old, the effects associated with total n–3 PUFAremainedsignificant.Cognitivebenefitswereassociatedwithhighererythrocyten–3PUFAcontentbutweresignificantonlyintheabsenceofthe APOE (cid:1) 4 allele. Conclusions: These data are evidence of a gene (cid:2) environment interaction for cognitive aging. They are relevant to the analysis of trials of n–3 PUFA supplements in cognitive aging and dementia prevention, and they support heterogeneity in cognitive aging and, possibly, in Alzheimer disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:449–54.
Oral health knowledge and attitude among caregivers of special needs patients at a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centre: an analytical study.

Aim To evaluate knowledge and attitude of caregivers/healthcare workers regarding oral health of special need patients, at a comprehensive rehabilitation centre. Material and methods A validated self-administered structured questionnaire was used in an interview style among 120 caregivers at a comprehensive rehabilitation centre. The first part of questionnaire collected demographic information (age, gender, experience, literacy). The other part of the questionnaire was related to the knowledge and attitude of caregivers regarding importance of oral health including oral hygiene practices, cause of tooth decay, significance of fluoride, common oral problems and need for oral health education. Comparison between oral health knowledge and oral health attitude of caregivers was done using one-sample t Test. The level of significance was set as p=0.005*. Results Adequate oral health knowledge was found to be among 59.2% and favourable attitude of caregivers towards oral health care was found among 48.3%. The results indicate that though majority among caregivers had adequate knowledge but their attitude towards oral health was inadequate. Conclusion Caregivers showed a deficiency in the proper oral health attitude. To improve oral health attitudes of caregivers, dental education plus training programs should be given high priority.
Cancer antigen 125 concentrations in patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis: relationship with dialysis quality and membrane transport properties

The aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinal changes in drained dialysate cancer antigen 125 (dCA-125) levels and to assess relationships between dCA-125 and dialysis quality, peritoneal membrane transport rates, dialysate glucose load, peritonitis and use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA), angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and statins in patients with end-stage renal failure during the first 6 months of peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. This prospective study included 20 patients (11 males and 9 females; mean age 62.90±12.69 years) who were followed-up during the first 6 months of PD using conventional low pH glucose-based dialysis fluids. The concentration of dCA-125 was measured in all patients, and the peritoneal equilibration test (PET), peritoneal dialysis treatment adequacy (Kt/V), normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), and total, peritoneal and residual clearances of urea and creatinine were calculated. Information on peritonitis occurrence, the use of ESA, ACEi and statins were collected. Data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon matched pairs test and Spearman’s rank correlation. The concentration of dCA-125 significantly decreased during the follow-up (p=0.016). After 6 months of PD treatment, the concentration of dCA-125 decreased significantly (p=0.016) in all patients. The decrease was present in all patients, but was statistically significant in patients on ACEi therapy (p=0.006) and in patients not using statins (p=0.005) or ESA (p=0.012). No correlation was found between dCA-125 and glucose load, but a statistically significant negative correlation between dCA-125 and the PET for creatinine was observed (p=0.013). These findings challenge the role of dCA-125 in predicting mesothelial cell integrity in PD patients. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS170324021J Received: March 24, 2017; Revised: May 7, 2017; Accepted: May 9, 2017; Published onlione: June 12, 2017 How to cite this article: Jovanovic NŽ, Trbojevic-Stankovic JB, Nesic DM, Obrenovic RŽ, Boricic NI, Stojimirovic BB. Cancer antigen 125 concentrations in patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis: Relationship with dialysis quality and membrane transport properties. Arch Biol Sci. 2018;70(1):13-20.