Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of Optically Preamplified PPM Systems With Dual-Polarized ASE Noise and Finite Extinction Ratios

Pulse position modulation (PPM) presents several advantages in free-space optical systems, unrepeatered fiber transmission, and passive optical networks. In this paper, we study the error performance in direct-detection optically preamplified M-ary PPM optical communication systems. We consider the impact of the amplifier spontaneous emission noise, as well of the finite extinction ratio of the transmitter, on the probability of bit error at the receiver. We derive expressions for the probability of bit error under both assumptions of noise polarization, namely, single- and dual-polarized amplifier noise, and compute it numerically for different symbol sizes M and extinction ratios. In addition, we present the power penalty due to the transmitter finite extinction ratio for systems with and without forward error correction. Our findings show that, in the cases of practically achievable finite extinction ratios, systems with smaller M may perform equally well when compared to those using higher values of M. We also show that there is little benefit, if any, associated with using a polarization filter in the receiver since the additional size, weight, and power consumption requirements outweigh the error performance improvement.
Geochemical and Microstructural Signals in Giant Clam Tridacna maxima Recorded Typhoon Events at Okinotori Island, Japan

To validate the usability of the giant clam shell as a recorder of short‐term environmental changes such as typhoons, we collected a live Tridacna maxima from Okinotori Island, Japan, on 15 June 2006. Growth increment thickness, stable isotope ratio (δ18Oshell, δ13Cshell), and the barium/calcium ratio (Ba/Ca) in the T. maxima shell sample were measured and compared to Okinotori Island instrumental environmental data. In the outer layer of the shell sample, there were 365 ± 6 growth increments per year, as estimated by the δ18Oshell profile compared with sea surface temperature. The growth increments in the specimen were formed daily, and thus, we can determine the date of the sampling points of δ18Oshell, δ13Cshell and the Ba/Ca ratio by counting growth increments. After typhoon approach, there is a decrease in increment thickness and some disturbed growth increments. The positive peaks in the shell Ba/Ca ratio and δ18Oshell corresponded to lower sea surface temperature caused by typhoons. These results indicated that the microstructural and geochemical record in Tridacna maxima shells could be useful for detecting past typhoon events.
Characterization of structurally distinct, isoform-selective phosphoinositide 3′-kinase inhibitors in combination with radiation in the treatment of glioblastoma

The phosphoinositide 3′-kinase (PI3K)–mediated signaling pathway plays a key role in fundamental cellular functions important in normal cellular homeostasis and malignant transformation. Deregulated signaling through this pathway contributes to development of gliomas and their resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Targeting the PI3K signaling pathway has thus emerged as a promising approach to successful treatment of gliomas. We assessed the radiosensitizing potential of four small-molecule inhibitors that differ in their activities against specific isoforms of the PI3K 110-kDa catalytic subunit (p110). p110α inhibitors blocked phosphorylation of both protein kinase B/Akt and S6 in all cell lines examined, effectively decreased cellular proliferation, and produced additive cytotoxic effects in combination with radiation therapy. The p110β inhibitor exhibited limited biochemical effects and failed to decrease cellular proliferation or viability as either a single agent or in combination with radiation or rapamycin. In vivo studies examining the effects of the p110α inhibitor in combination with radiation indicated a significant reduction in tumor growth rate induced by the combined treatment compared with each treatment modality alone. This translated into a trend toward prolonged time-to-failure for mice in the combination treatment group. In conclusion, PI3K inhibitors are promising agents in the treatment of glioblastomas, especially when used in combination with ionizing radiation. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(4):841–50]
Versatile distributed pose estimation and sensor self-calibration for an autonomous MAV

In this paper, we present a versatile framework to enable autonomous flights of a Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) which has only slow, noisy, delayed and possibly arbitrarily scaled measurements available. Using such measurements directly for position control would be practically impossible as MAVs exhibit great agility in motion. In addition, these measurements often come from a selection of different onboard sensors, hence accurate calibration is crucial to the robustness of the estimation processes. Here, we address these problems using an EKF formulation which fuses these measurements with inertial sensors. We do not only estimate pose and velocity of the MAV, but also estimate sensor biases, scale of the position measurement and self (inter-sensor) calibration in real-time. Furthermore, we show that it is possible to obtain a yaw estimate from position measurements only. We demonstrate that the proposed framework is capable of running entirely onboard a MAV performing state prediction at the rate of 1 kHz. Our results illustrate that this approach is able to handle measurement delays (up to 500ms), noise (std. deviation up to 20 cm) and slow update rates (as low as 1 Hz) while dynamic maneuvers are still possible. We present a detailed quantitative performance evaluation of the real system under the influence of different disturbance parameters and different sensor setups to highlight the versatility of our approach.
Small vs. large dust grains in transitional disks: do different cavity sizes indicate a planet? - SAO 206462 (HD 135344B) in polarized light with VLT/NACO

Context. Transitional disks represent a short stage of the evolution of circumstellar material. Studies of dust grains in these objects can provide pivotal information on the mechanisms of planet formation. Dissimilarities in the spatial distribution of small (μm−size) and large (mm−size) dust grains have recently been pointed out. Aims. Constraints on the small dust grains can be obtained by imaging the distribution of scattered light at near-infrared wavelengths. We aim at resolving structures in the surface layer of transitional disks (with particular emphasis on the inner 10−50 AU), thus increasing the scarce sample of high-resolution images of these objects. Methods. We obtained VLT/NACO near-IR high-resolution polarimetric differential imaging observations of SAO 206462 (HD135344B). This technique allows one to image the polarized scattered light from the disk without any occulting mask and to
The role of personality, age, and gender in tweeting about mental illness

Mental illnesses, such as depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are highly underdiagnosed globally. Populations sharing similar demographics and personality traits are known to be more at risk than others. In this study, we characterise the language use of users disclosing their mental illness on Twitter. Language-derived personality and demographic estimates show surprisingly strong performance in distinguishing users that tweet a diagnosis of depression or PTSD from random controls, reaching an area under the receiveroperating characteristic curve ‐ AUC ‐ of around . 8 in all our binary classification tasks. In fact, when distinguishing users disclosing depression from those disclosing PTSD, the single feature of estimated age shows nearly as strong performance (AUC = .806) as using thousands of topics (AUC = .819) or tens of thousands of n-grams (AUC = .812). We also find that differential language analyses, controlled for demographics, recover many symptoms associated with the mental illnesses in the clinical literature.
Reliability Investigation of Mixed BGA Assemblies

The effect of different reflow profiles on the reliability of lead-free (LF) Sn-3.0 Ag-0.5 Cu (wt.%) (SAC 305) ball grid array (BGA) devices assembled with a SnPb eutectic paste was investigated. The memory modules in a back-to-back configuration were reflowed on standard graphic cards finished with immersion silver (IAg) or hot air solder leveling (HASL) coatings. The reflow peak temperatures ranged from 209 degC to 227 degC, while the time above liquidus (TAL) varied from 45 to 80 s. Depending on the reflow conditions, the solder interconnects displayed varied degrees of SnPb and LF solders intermixing. It was established that in order to receive a homogeneous solder alloy, the reflow peak temperature had to be in the 218 degC-222 degC range. The reliability of solder interconnects of memory modules was assessed by subjecting the cards to 1500 cycles of accelerated thermal-cycling with a profile from 0 degC to 100 degC. It was found that the control SnPb/SnPb assemblies displayed superior reliability to that of the mixed assemblies. Regardless of the degree of homogeneity of the BGA balls, the predominant failure mode of the mixed solder joints was interfacial cracking through a Pb-rich phase near the intermetallic layer. In contrast, only partial cracks propagating diagonally through the bulk solder were present on the control boards. It was concluded that a combination of state of stress and segregation of the Pb-rich phase at the interface was responsible for the shortened thermal-mechanical fatigue life of the mixed solder interconnects
Performance Evaluation of Position-based Routing Protocols using Different Mobility Models in MANET

A Mobile Ad hoc network (MANET) is a dynamic selforganizing multi-hop wireless network. Owing the random and unpredictable movement of the mobile nodes, the topology is changing rapidly and frequently. In MANET, where is no routing infrastructure like fixed routers and routing backbones, all MNs participate in the routing process. Recently, position-aware routing protocols, and because of their simplicity, position awareness, and scalability, are the most routing protocols used with MANET. In recent years, a variety of position-aware routing protocols have been developed. The efficiency of such protocol affects by the used underlying mobility model. Thus, wrong selection of the Mobility model may has devastating consequences on the performance MANET. Research efforts haven't focused much in evaluating their performance when applied to different mobility models. In this paper, we have studied the effect of two different mobility models; Random Waypoint mobility model (RWP) and Boundless Mobility Model (BDM) on the performance of selected group of position-based routing protocols. The performance analysis was carried out by using the network simulator, Ns2. The simulation results clarify the performance of the selected routing protocols with three performance metrics.
A repetitive mode of activation of discrete Ca2+ release events (Ca2+ sparks) in frog skeletal muscle fibres

1 Ca2+ release events (Ca2+‘sparks’), which are believed to arise from the opening of a sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel or a small cluster of such channels that act as a release unit, have been measured in single, frog (Rana pipiens) skeletal muscle fibres. 2 Under conditions of extremely low rates of occurrence of Ca2+ sparks we observed, within individual identified triads, repetitive Ca2+ release events which occurred at a frequency more than 100‐fold greater than the prevailing average event rate. Repetitive sparks were recorded during voltage‐clamp test depolarizations after a brief (0.3–2 s) repriming interval in fibres held at 0 mV and in chronically depolarized, ‘notched’ fibres. 3 These repetitive events are likely to arise from the re‐opening of the same SR Ca2+ release channel or release unit operating in a repetitive gating mode (‘rep‐mode’), rather than from the random activation of multiple, independent channels or release units within a triad. A train of rep‐mode events thus represents a series of Ca2+ sparks arising from a single location within the fibre. Rep‐mode events are activated among different triads in a random manner after brief repriming. The frequency of repetitive events among all identified events during voltage‐clamp depolarization to 0 mV after brief repriming was 3.9 ± 1.3%. The occurrence of repetitive events was not related to exposure of the fibre to laser illumination. 4 The events observed within a rep‐mode train exhibited a relatively uniform amplitude. Analysis of intervals between identified events in triads exhibiting rep‐mode trains indicated similar variations of fluorescence as in neighbouring, quiescent triads, suggesting there was not a significant number of small, unidentified events at the triads exhibiting rep‐mode activity. 5 The distribution of rep‐mode interspark intervals exhibited a paucity of events at short intervals, consistent with the need for recovery from inactivation before activation of the next event in a repetitive train. The mean interspark interval of repetitive sparks during voltage‐clamp depolarizations was 88 ± 5 ms, and was independent of membrane potential. 6 The individual Ca2+ sparks within a rep‐mode train were similar in average amplitude and spatiotemporal extent to singly occurring sparks, suggesting a common mechanism for termination of the channel opening(s) underlying both types of events. The average properties of the sparks did not vary during a train. The relative amplitude of a spark within a rep‐mode was not correlated with its rise time. 7 Repetitive Ca2+ release events represent a mode of gating of SR Ca2+ release channels which may be significant during long depolarizations and which may be influenced by the biochemical state of the SR ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channels.
Association of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Polymorphism in Dementia

There is an increasing interest in how oxidative stress can cause cells to go into apoptosis in both normal ageing and in neurodegenerative disorders. Previous research has implicated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as being involved in the pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by protecting the neurons through reducing neuronal susceptibility to oxidative stress. IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) polymorphisms alter cerebral and systemic levels of IGF-1 and may alter the function of the receptor. We genotyped the IGF-1R gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to assess whether this gene polymorphism can be linked to dementia. We used leukocyte DNA from 72 patients with AD, 75 patients with vascular dementia (VaD), 14 patients with mixed dementia (AD+VaD), and a control group consisting of 209 individuals without a history of progressive neurological disorders. Analysis of gene frequency for gender revealed a significant difference between female VaD patients and female controls carrying at least one A allele (OR = 1.8, CI 95% 1.1–2.9, p = 0.02), but not for male patients. In addition, we found a strong tendency to a difference between all cases of female dementia patients and controls carrying the A allele (OR = 1.5, CI 95% 0.99–2.2, p = 0.054). Our results suggest that the A allele of IGF-1R may be involved in the pathogenesis of VaD in females.
Molecular pathways involved in the anti‐apoptotic effect of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 in primary human keratinocytes

We previously reported that 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] protects primary human keratinocytes against ultraviolet (UV)B‐induced apoptosis. Here, we confirmed the anti‐apoptotic effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 in keratinocytes, using cisplatin and doxorubicin as apoptotic triggers. We further showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 activates two survival pathways in keratinocytes: the MEK/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI‐3K)/Akt pathway. Activation of ERK and Akt by 1,25(OH)2D3 was transient, required a minimal dose of 10−9 M and could be blocked by actinomycin D and cycloheximide. Moreover, inhibition of Akt or ERK activity with respectively a PI‐3K inhibitor (LY294002) or MEK inhibitors (PD98059, UO126), partially or totally suppressed the anti‐apoptotic capacity of 1,25(OH)2D3. Finally, 1,25(OH)2D3 changed the expression of different apoptosis regulators belonging to the Bcl‐2 family. Indeed, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment increased levels of the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 and decreased levels of the pro‐apoptotic proteins Bax and Bad in a time‐ and dose‐dependent way. Induction of Bcl‐2 by 1,25(OH)2D3 was further shown to be mediated by ERK and, to a lesser extent, by Akt. In conclusion, 1,25(OH)2D3 clearly protects keratinocytes against apoptosis (1) by activating the MEK/ERK and the PI‐3K/Akt survival pathways and (2) by increasing the Bcl‐2 to Bax and Bad ratio. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activity of LY146032 in vitro and in experimental enterococcal pyelonephritis

The efficacy of LY146032 (LY), a new lipopeptide antibiotic, was compared with that of vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, imipenem, and gentamicin and combinations of LY-ceftriaxone, LY-imipenem, and LY-gentamicin against 15 strains of Streptococcus (Enterococcus) faecalis by microtiter dilution and checkerboard techniques. LY was effective within a very narrow range of drug concentrations (from 0.125 to 2.0 micrograms/ml) and was more active than other agents tested against S. faecalis. Enhanced inhibition of S. faecalis was seen more frequently with combinations of either penicillin or ampicillin and an aminoglycoside than with combinations of LY and gentamicin, imipenem, or ceftriaxone. The in vivo efficacy of LY was compared with that of vancomycin and ampicillin alone and combinations of vancomycin-gentamicin, ampicillin-gentamicin, and LY-gentamicin in a rat model of chronic enterococcal pyelonephritis. At a dose of 10 mg/kg given twice daily, LY reduced the number of organisms per kidney significantly compared with that in infected untreated controls within 48 h after the initiation of therapy. At 20 mg/kg given once a day, LY was less effective but reduced colony counts significantly after 4 days of therapy, and its activity was comparable to that of vancomycin or vancomycin-gentamicin given twice daily. LY may be a promising agent for the treatment of enterococcal infections.
Experimental tests of the generation mechanism of auroral medium frequency burst radio emissions

[1] Medium frequency (MF) burst is an impulsive auroral radio emission at 1.3–4.5 MHz commonly detected by ground-based instruments for a few minutes at substorm onsets. It is thought to arise from mode conversion radiation. The Dartmouth College MF radio interferometer at Toolik Field Station, Alaska (68.51 invariant latitude), measured spectra, amplitudes, and directions of arrival (DOA) of 47 MF burst events during 2006– 2007 and 49 events during 2007–2008. Statistical analysis of these events shows that they come predominantly from the south and east of Toolik, as expected because propagation conditions are more favorable poleward and westward of the active auroral arcs than equatorward or eastward during premidnight (westward moving) substorm onset activity. Case studies of a selected MF burst event on 20 November 2007 show that motions of the radio emissions qualitatively track the motions of auroral arcs simultaneously observed with all-sky camera. Case studies of DOA data of selected MF burst events on 31 January and 20 November 2007 show that higher-frequency components of MF burst arrive at higher elevation angles than lower-frequency components. Statistical studies confirm this trend. Ray-tracing analysis shows that this trend implies that sources of the higherfrequency components of the MF burst are at higher altitudes than those of the lowerfrequency components. The analysis also shows that the MF burst comes from the bottomside F region ionosphere. These observations are consistent with a mechanism of MF burst emission whereby the emissions originate from mode conversion of Langmuir or upper hybrid waves excited over a range of altitudes in the bottomside F region.
Localization and Circumnavigation of a Slowly Moving Target Using Bearing Measurements

The problem of localization and circumnavigation of a slowly moving target with unknown speed has been considered. The agent only knows its own position with respect to its initial frame, and the bearing angle to the target in that frame. We propose an estimator to localize the target and a control law that forces the agent to move on a circular trajectory around the target such that both the estimator and the control system are exponentially stable. We consider two different cases where the agent's speed is constant and variable. The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified through simulations.
Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of intravitreal chemotherapy for primary intraocular lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of intravitreal chemotherapeutic agents in the rabbit eye for the potential treatment of primary intraocular lymphoma and other intraocular malignancies. METHODS The ocular pharmacokinetics of intravitreal methotrexate sodium (400 microg) was studied in 10 New Zealand white rabbits, and a single-compartment, first-order elimination model was used to calculate the drug half-life. With the use of these data, a treatment schedule using serial injections of intravitreal methotrexate and single injections of fluorouracil and dexamethasone sodium phosphate was developed. This schedule was studied in 4 New Zealand white rabbits to explore the combined toxicity of these agents. RESULTS Methotrexate vitreous levels, following a 400-microg intravitreal injection, remained therapeutic (>0.5 microM) in the rabbit eye for 48 to 72 hours. Intravitreal methotrexate, combined with fluorouracil and dexamethasone, showed no evidence of drug toxicity as determined by electroretinography and histopathologic examination. CONCLUSIONS A treatment schedule for primary intraocular lymphoma consisting of methotrexate intravitreal injections every 48 to 72 hours provides therapeutic drug concentrations in the vitreous and, in combination with fluorouracil and dexamethasone, appears to be safe in the rabbit eye. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although responsive to conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, recurrence of ocular involvement with primary central nervous system lymphoma occurs in more than 50% of treated cases. Anecdotal reports of the use of intravitreal chemotherapy for primary intraocular lymphoma have been encouraging. However, animal data on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of combined intravitreal agents for the treatment of this disease are lacking.
Cigarette Smoking in Pregnancy: Its Influence on Birth Weight and Perinatal Mortality

In a British population cigarette smoking during pregnancy increased the late fetal plus neonatal mortality rate by 28% and reduced birth weight by 170 g, and these differences persist even after allowing for a number of “mediating” maternal and social variables. A change in smoking habit by the end of the fourth month of pregnancy places a mother in the risk category appropriate to her changed habit. This evidence should have important implications for health education aimed at getting pregnant mothers to give up smoking.