Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic Energy Density in a Single-resonance Chiral Metamaterial

We derive the electromagnetic energy density in a chiral metamaterial consisting of uncoupled single-resonance helical resonators. Both the lossless and absorptive cases are studied, and the energy density is shown to be positively definite. The key relation making the derivation successful is the proportionality between the magnetization and the rate of change of the electric polarization of the medium. The same time-domain formulation of energy density also applies to the bianisotropic medium proposed by Zhang et al. This work may provide insights for studying time-dependent phenomena in metamaterials. " Metamaterial " usually refers to an artificial structure consisting of periodically arranged resonators that has unusual electromagnetic properties such as a negative index of refraction or strong anisotropy [1]. Fascinating phenomena associated with these unusual properties have been demonstrated, for example, superlensing and cloaking. To realize negative refraction, usually one unit cell of the periodic structure should contain both electric and magnetic resonators, giving rise to negative permit-tivity and negative permeability through electric and magnetic resonances, respectively. Recently, chiral me-tamaterials have attracted much interest. They consist of only one type of helical resonators and exhibit new properties going beyond conventional negative index metamaterials, such as negative reflection [2]. The resonance characteristics of metamaterials imply that they are inherently dispersive and absorptive. A fundamental problem of dispersive media is how to calculate the electromagnetic energy density, in particular for those with magnetic responses. For the lossless case without involving chirality, the answer is known [3]. However, when absorption is involved, such a problem is nontrivial [4,5], and quite some controversies exist in the literature [6,7]. For the wire-split ring resonator (wire-SRR) metamaterials, the frequency domain (time-averaged) formula [6] derived using the equivalent circuit approach and the time-domain formula [7] obtained using the electrodynamics (ED) approach did not agree. Recently , this apparent contradiction has been resolved [8]. According to [8], ED derivation is based on Maxwell's equations and the equations of motion for electric polarization P and magnetization M. Besides, to find a unique expression of energy density, the correct form of power loss must be employed. In this Letter, we derive the electromagnetic energy density in a single-resonance chiral metamaterial consisting of uncoupled helical resonators, following a similar procedure as that used in [8]. For our chosen model ∂P=∂t is proportional to M, and this is the key relation making the derivation possible. This feature makes the present derivation more subtle …
IL-4 gene polymorphisms and their association with atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis in Pakistani patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Interleukin (IL) 4 is a cytokine that mediates allergic responses. Different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can influence the immune response mediated by cytokines. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between IL-4 polymorphisms and allergic rhinitis and atopic asthma. METHODS A total of 214 atopic patients (108 with asthma and 106 with allergic rhinitis) and 120 healthy controls from Pakistan were genotyped for IL-4 SNPs C-589T (rs2243250), T+2979G (rs2227284), and C-33T (rs2070874) using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software package StatCalc, Epilnfo v.6. RESULTS The SNP rs2243250 was significantly associated with both asthma (P = .004, chi2 = 11.0) and allergic rhinitis (P < .001, chi2 = 20.2), as was T-2979G (P < .001, chi2 = 22.51 for asthma and P < .001, chi2 = 57.6 for allergic rhinitis). The most frequent genotypes in the asthma and allergic rhinitis groups were TT for SNP rs2243250, and GG for SNP rs2227284. rs2070874 was not found to be associated with either of the 2 atopic respiratory diseases analyzed in the Pakistani cohort. CONCLUSIONS rs2243250 and rs2227284 are significantly associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The results of this study indicate that in addition to environmental factors, genetic risk factors also play an important role in the development of atopic respiratory diseases.
Medication prescribing practices for older prisoners in the Texas prison system.

OBJECTIVES We sought to assess appropriateness of medication prescribing for older Texas prisoners. METHODS In this 12-month cross-sectional study of 13 117 prisoners (aged > or = 55 years), we assessed medication use with Zhan criteria and compared our results to prior studies of community prescribing. We assessed use of indicated medications with 6 Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders indicators. RESULTS Inappropriate medications were prescribed to a third of older prisoners; half of inappropriate use was attributable to over-the-counter antihistamines. When these antihistamines were excluded, inappropriate use dropped to 14% (> or = 55 years) and 17% (> or = 65 years), equivalent to rates in a Department of Veterans Affairs study (17%) and lower than rates in a health maintenance organization study (26%). Median rate of indicated medication use for the 6 indicators was 80% (range = 12%-95%); gastrointestinal prophylaxis for patients on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories at high risk for gastrointestinal bleed constituted the lowest rate. CONCLUSIONS Medication prescribing for older prisoners in Texas was similar to that for older community adults. However, overuse of antihistamines and underuse of gastrointestinal prophylaxis suggests a need for education of prison health care providers in appropriate prescribing practices for older adults.
Age Differences in the Neural Mechanisms of Intertemporal Choice Under Subjective Decision Conflict

Older decision-makers may capitalize on their greater experiences in financial decisions and by this offset decline in cognitive abilities. However, this pattern of results should reverse in situations that place high demands on cognitive control functions. In this study, we investigated how decision conflict affects the neural mechanisms of intertemporal decision-making in younger and older adults. To individually adjust the level of decision conflict we determined the indifference point (IDP) in intertemporal decision-making for each participant. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants performed choice options close to their IDP (high conflict) or far away from the IDP (low conflict). In younger adults, decision conflict leads to reduced delay discounting and lower discount rates are associated with higher working memory (WM) capacity. In older adults, high decision conflict is associated with enhanced discounting, hypoactivation in the ventral striatum as well diminished ventral striatal representations of differences in subjective values. Taken together, our results show that under enhanced decision conflict, younger adults engage in a more reflective decision mode that reflects individual differences in WM capacity. In contrast, older adults get more present-oriented under high demands on cognitive control and this decision bias is associated with changes in striatal value signaling.
Student Participation and Achievement in a Large Lecture Course With Game-Based Learning

Background The use of game-based learning strategies in higher education has shown promise to increase student motivation and achievement. Although studies have begun to explore the structuring of courses as a game, little is known on who benefits the most from this type of instructional environment. Aim This research study explored the impact of a large lecture course designed with game-based learning on participation and achievement. Game elements included narrative, quests, points, feedback, and badges. Method 71 undergraduate students participated in a case study utilizing a mixed methods approach. Measures included course achievement, course participation, and a survey on beliefs and practices. Results Findings indicated students in a large course structured with game-based learning maintained high participation and persistence in meeting course requirements. In addition, overall achievement was not significantly correlated with age, gender, learning style, or game use, contradicting the research literature on game-based learning. Conclusions The use of game-based learning is beneficial for engaging all students in large lecture courses, but more work is needed in determining which strategies are most effective for learning.
In vivo Piroxicam Metabolites: Possible Source for Synthesis of Central Nervous System (CNS) Acting Depressants.

BACKGROUND Piroxicam has been reported to be convertible to Central Nervous System (CNS) acting agents. It has serious depressant effects at high doses. OBJECTIVE In view of this, structures of piroxicam metabolites were assessed for possible conversion to CNS depressants. METHODS Literature search was carried out with intent to identifying piroxicam metabolites and the possibility of converting them to CNS acting depressants. RESULTS Piroxicam is convertible to hydroxymethylated metabolite which may be converted to barbiturates such as thiopentone and thiamylal. Whereas cyclodehydrated metabolite may be converted to acetylcyclodehydrated compound that may be in turn converted to acetylacetone and cyclohexamide. However, carboxybenzothiazine metabolite may be converted to carboxamide compound, benzolactone which is convertible to phenazone. Carboxybenzothiazine is also convertible to 2-aminopyridine mepyramine and triplenamine. Conversion of carboxybenzothiazine to gamma aminobutyric acid and phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, thioridazine, fluphenazine and perphenazine is highly possible. CONCLUSION Structurally, barbituric compounds, carboxamide, cyclodehydrated, benzothiazine and carboxybenzothiazine metabolites may act via dopamine and adrenergic receptors causing depression of CNS activities. Piroxicam metabolites may also act via histamine, melatonin and potassium channel receptors causing CNS depression.
On moment sequences and mixed Poisson distributions

In this article we survey properties of mixed Poisson distributions and probabilistic aspects of the Stirling transform: given a non-negative random variable (X) with moment sequence ((mu_s)_{sinmathbb{N}}) we determine a discrete random variable (Y), whose moment sequence is given by the Stirling transform of the sequence ((mu_s)_{sinmathbb{N}}), and identify the distribution as a mixed Poisson distribution. We discuss properties of this family of distributions and present a new simple limit theorem based on expansions of factorial moments instead of power moments. Moreover, we present several examples of mixed Poisson distributions in the analysis of random discrete structures, unifying and extending earlier results. We also add several entirely new results: we analyse triangular urn models, where the initial configuration or the dimension of the urn is not fixed, but may depend on the discrete time (n). We discuss the branching structure of plane recursive trees and its relation to table sizes in the Chinese restaurant process. Furthermore, we discuss root isolation procedures in Cayley trees, a parameter in parking functions, zero contacts in lattice paths consisting of bridges, and a parameter related to cyclic points and trees in graphs of random mappings, all leading to mixed Poisson-Rayleigh distributions. Finally, we indicate how mixed Poisson distributions naturally arise in the critical composition scheme of Analytic Combinatorics.
Victimization, Fear of Crime, and Perception of Risk in the Workplace: Testing Rival Theories with a Sample of Greek and Greek-Cypriot Journalists

The study at hand assessed the relative importance of situational and dispositional factors in predicting victimization, perceived risk, and fear of crime at work as a first step to developing practices and procedures that minimize employees’ experiences of workplace victimization. The theoretical approach to the matter in question took into consideration the situational tenets of lifestyle/routine activity theory and the individual tenets of negative affectivity and low self-control theories. The domain-specific empirical assessment was based on data from a survey administered to a representative sample of professional journalists working in two southern European countries: Greece and Cyprus. The multivariate statistical techniques of correspondence analysis, multiple regression, and logistic regression were employed for the analysis of the data. The results indicated a relatively high prevalence of physical victimization among professional journalists, an exceptionally high prevalence of psychological victimization and an average prevalence of property victimization. Male journalists were found to be significantly more likely to be victims of both physical violence and property victimization. Older journalists were found to suffer significantly more property offenses and younger journalists significantly more psychological abuse. Compared to married journalists, single ones were found to be victimized significantly more by psychological abuse. Furthermore, it was found that journalists have low-to-moderate levels of perceived risk and relatively low levels of fear of crime. The perception of risk among journalists was invariant across sociodemographic characteristics. However, female journalists and younger respondents expressed higher levels of fear of being
Revisiting tuberculous pleurisy: pleural fluid characteristics and diagnostic yield of mycobacterial culture in an endemic area

Background Tuberculous pleurisy is traditionally indicated by extreme lymphocytosis in pleural fluid and low yield of effusion culture. However, there is considerable inconsistency among previous study results. In addition, these data should be updated due to early effusion studies and advances in culture methods. Methods From January 2004 to June 2009, patients with tuberculous pleurisy were retrospectively identified from the mycobacteriology laboratories and the pathology and tuberculosis registration databases of two hospitals in Taiwan where tuberculosis is endemic. Pleural fluid characteristics and yields of mycobacterial cultures using liquid media were evaluated. Results A total of 382 patients with tuberculous pleurisy were identified. The median lymphocyte percentage of total cells in pleural fluids was 84% (IQR 64–95%) and 17% of cases had a lymphocyte percentage of <50%. The lymphocyte percentage was negatively associated with the probability of a positive effusion culture (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.96 to 0.99). The diagnostic yields were 63% for effusion culture, 48% for sputum culture, 79% for the combination of effusion and sputum cultures, and 74% for histological examination of pleural biopsy specimens. Conclusion The degree of lymphocyte predominance in tuberculous pleurisy was lower than was previously thought. The lymphocyte percentage in pleural fluid was negatively associated with the probability of a positive effusion culture. With the implementation of a liquid culture method, the sensitivity of effusion culture was much higher than has been previously reported, and the combination of effusion and sputum cultures provided a good diagnostic yield.
A re‐examination of variation associated with environmentally stressed organisms

Variation is an essential feature of biological systems. Populations adapt to dynamic environments, in part, because of this variation. In this review, we re‐examine phenotypic variation, especially in organisms living in polluted environments. A recent goal of ecotoxicology is to understand the sublethal effects of exposure to pollutants, e.g. responses to endocrine‐disrupting contaminants. While variation is an inherent quality of organisms, variance is a statistical measure of the variation of a trait Increased variance has been associated with organisms living at the perimeter of a population's range, introduced into novel environments, or exposed to pollution. Some researchers have proposed increased phenotypic variance in exposed populations as an evolutionary mechanism, and others have suggested its use as a biomarker. While we agree that variance often increases in the exposed population, we also recognize that the opposite phenomenon occurs. That is, variance can decrease from exposure to pollution. Altered variance in the exposed population—leading to heteroscedasticity—could result in erroneous conclusions (Type II errors). We suggest that exposure to endocrine‐disrupting contaminants could influence the health of populations in ways that are not always represented by measures of central tendency, and that variance and distribution should also be examined in environmentally stressed wildlife.
Do We Need CAPM for Capital Budgeting?

A key input to the capital budgeting process is the cost of capital. Financial managers most often use the CAPM to estimate the cost of capital for which they need to know the market risk premium. Textbooks advocate using the historical value for the US equity premium as the market risk premium. The CAPM as a model has been seriously challenged in the academic literature. In addition, recent research indicates that the true market risk premium might have been as low as half the historical US equity premium during the last two decades. If business finance courses have been teaching the use of the wrong model along with wrong inputs for 20 years, why has no one complained? We provide an answer to this puzzle.
Establishment of a Novel Mouse Model of Coronary Microembolization

Background:Coronary microembolization (CME) has been frequently seen in acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary intervention. Small animal models are required for further studies of CME related to severe prognosis. This study aimed to explore a new mouse model of CME. Methods:The mouse model of CME was established by injecting polystyrene microspheres into the left ventricular chamber during 15-s occlusion of the ascending aorta. Based on the average diameter and dosage used, 30 C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6 in each): 9 &mgr;m/500,000, 9 &mgr;m/800,000, 17 &mgr;m/200,000, 17 &mgr;m/500,000, and sham groups. The postoperative survival and performance of the mice were recorded. The mice were sacrificed 3 or 10 days after the surgery. The heart tissues were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining to compare the extent of inflammatory cellular infiltration and fibrin deposition among groups and for scanning transmission electron microscopic examinations to see the ultrastructural changes after CME. Results:Survival analysis demonstrated that the cumulative survival rate of the 17 &mgr;m/500,000 group was significantly lower than that of the sham group (0/6 vs. 6/6, P = 0.001). The cumulative survival rate of the 17 &mgr;m/200,000 group was lower than those of the sham and 9 &mgr;m groups with no statistical difference (cumulative survival rate of the 17 &mgr;m/200,000, 9 &mgr;m/800,000, 9 &mgr;m/500,000, and sham groups was 4/6, 5/6, 6/6, and 6/6, respectively). The pathological alterations were similar between the 9 &mgr;m/500,000 and 9 &mgr;m/800,000 groups. The extent of inflammatory cellular infiltration and fibrin deposition was more severe in the 17 &mgr;m/200,000 group than in the 9 &mgr;m/500,000 and 9 &mgr;m/800,000 groups 3 and 10 days after the surgery. Scanning transmission electron microscopic examinations revealed platelet aggregation and adhesion, microthrombi formation, and changes in cardiomyocytes. Conclusion:The injection of 500,000 polystyrene microspheres at an average diameter of 9 &mgr;m is proved to be appropriate for the mouse model of CME based on the general conditions, postoperative survival rates, and pathological changes.
Constraining reionization using 21-cm observations in combination with CMB and Lyα forest data

In this paper, we explore the constraints on the reionization history that are provided by current observations of the Lyα forest and the cosmic microwave background. Rather than using a particular semi-analytic model, we take the novel approach of parametrizing the ionizing sources with arbitrary functions and perform likelihood analyses to constrain possible reionization histories. We find model-independent conclusions that reionization is likely to be mostly complete by z = 8 and that the intergalactic medium was 50 per cent ionized at z = 9-10. Upcoming low-frequency observations of the redshifted 21-cm line of neutral hydrogen are expected to place significantly better constraints on the hydrogen neutral fraction at 6 ≲ z ≲ 12. We use our constraints on the reionization history to predict the likely amplitude of the 21-cm power spectrum and show that observations with the highest signal-to-noise ratio will most likely be made at frequencies corresponding to z = 9-10. This result provides an important guide to the upcoming 21-cm observations. Finally, we assess the impact that measurement of the neutral fraction will have on our knowledge of reionization and the early source population. Our results show that a single measurement of the neutral fraction mid-way through the reionization era will significantly enhance our knowledge of the entire reionization history.
The Myth of the Bisexual Infector?

Abstract Bisexual men are objects of fear and blame in an era of AIDS. They are not only considered secretive and promiscuous fence sitters, they are also condemned as risking women's lives because they have sex with both men and women. The percentage of women being newly diagnosed with HIV in ‘developed’ countries is increasing. Focusing on possible present HIV risk, this paper will examine the empirical evidence of widespread HIV transmission or risk to women from bisexual men. In order to examine whether the ‘bisexual infector’ is a reality, the paper will examine behavioural, epidemiological and virological evidence.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Research and key discoveries in the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have exponentially increased since the announcement in 1993 of the first ALS-causing mutations in the gene for the well-studied antioxidant enzyme Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The etiology of sporadic ALS largely remains unknown and the mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration are still being investigated. The only FDA drug approved for the treatment of ALS is riluzole with only modest benefit to patients, but multiple drugs are currently in the development pipeline and in human ALS clinical trials. In this special issue, K. Venkova-Hristova et al. thoroughly reviewed studies of experimental therapeutics in animal models of ALS, including specific examples of those that proceeded into human clinical trials. Since none of the ALS human clinical trials succeeded despite positive results in animal models, the question of “why” has been on everyone's mind, with efforts to develop superior alternatives. This review discusses the potential reasons for the universal failure of preclinical successes to translate into positive clinical outcomes. It has become obvious that the lack of understanding of the precise mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration presents a major obstacle in the development of effective therapy for ALS. This review discusses the details of several major pathogenic pathways in ALS and the efforts of various groups to block one toxic pathway at a time, ranging from oxidative stress to protein aggregation. The authors discuss the pros and cons of ALS models and propose simultaneous targeting of multiple pathways as a more efficient strategy, due to the multifactorial nature of ALS pathology.