Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thin Film Solar Cells Using Earth-Abundant Materials

In a p-n junction photovoltaic (PV) cell, a photon of light produces an electron hole pair if the energy of the photon is at least equal to the band gap of the material constituting the p-n junction. The electrons and holes first diffuse toward the respective edge of the depletion re‐ gion, and then drift across the junction due to the built-in potential and are collected at the electrodes. Thus, materials with long minority carrier life times and high carrier mobilities are desired for high efficiency. Because electrons have higher mobility than the holes, a ptype semiconductor is used as light absorber in a p-n junction solar cell.
Nanomagnetic Logic Microprocessor: Hierarchical Power Model

The interest in emerging nanotechnologies has been recently focused on nanomagnetic logic (NML), which has unique appealing features. NML circuits have very low power consumption and, because of their magnetic nature, maintain the information safely stored even without power supply. The nature of these circuits is much different from that of CMOS circuits. As a consequence, to better understand NML logic, complex circuits and not only simple gates must be designed. This constraint calls for a new design and simulation methodology. It should efficiently encompass manifold properties: 1) being based on commonly used hardware description language (HDL) in order to easily manage complexity and hierarchy; 2) maintaining a clear link with physical characteristics; and 3) modeling performance aspects such as speed and power, together with logic behavior. In this paper, we present a very-high-speed integrated circuits HDL (VHDL) behavioral model for NML circuits, which allows the evaluation of not only the logic behavior but also its power dissipation. It is based on a technological solution called “snake-clock. ” We demonstrate this model using a case study which offers the right variety of internal substructures to test the method: a 4-bit microprocessor designed using asynchronous logic. The model enables a hierarchical bottom-up evaluation of the processor logic behavior, area, and power dissipation, which we evaluate using a benchmark division algorithm. The results highlight the flexibility and the efficiency of this model, as well as the remarkable improvements that it brings to the analysis of NML circuits.
Problem-Solving Orientation and Attributional Style: Moderators of the Impact of Negative Life Events on the Development of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence?

Followed up 733 adolescents, ages 12 to 14 years, from a community sample over a 1-year period. Depressive symptoms at 1-year follow-up, controlling for baseline depression levels, were predicted by negative life events (NLEs) in the previous 12 months, attributional style (AS), negative problem solving orientation (NPSO), and the interaction between NLEs and NPSO. In the presence, but not absence, of high NLEs, NPSO predicted increases in depressive symptoms. In contrast, pessimistic AS predicted future increases in depression irrespective of the occurrence of NLEs. The findings supported a cognitive diathesis-stress model of the development of depression for NPSO but not AS.
Changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis markers in acute ischemic stroke treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Shifts of the balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis play a crucial role in pathogenesis and treatment of cerebral ischemia. In this study, we characterized the kinetics of hemostatic abnormalities induced by acute ischemic stroke and its thrombolytic (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator [rtPA]) or anticoagulant (heparin) treatment. METHODS Systemic generation of molecular markers of hemostasis (fibrin monomer, D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin complex, and fibrinopeptide 1.2) was monitored in acute ischemic stroke, and the effects of thrombolytic and anticoagulant treatments were analyzed. RESULTS Thrombolysis with rtPA induced a massive response of markers of coagulation activation and fibrin formation that peaked after 1 to 3 hours and persisted for up to 72 hours. In contrast, only minor hemostatic changes were induced by acute ischemic stroke itself. Administration of heparin did not significantly affect these hemostatic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS This first characterization of the coagulation activation induced by rtPA treatment for acute ischemic stroke and the failure to abolish such hemostatic abnormalities by heparin may be of value for further refinement of the currently discussed thrombolytic therapy and the controversial adjunctive anticoagulant prophylaxis in stroke patients.
A case-control study of lung cancer with special reference to the effect of air pollution in Poland.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim of the study was to assess the affect of inhaled pollutants on lung cancer risk. DESIGN--The study was a retrospective case-control survey of lung cancer deaths over a six year period (1980-1985). Information on occupation, smoking habits, and residency was collected from next of kin. Classification of exposure to community air pollution was based on measured levels of total suspended particular matter and sulphur dioxide. SETTING--Cases and controls had been resident in the city of Cracow, Poland. PARTICIPANTS--Cases were male (n = 901, questionnaire response rate 70.7%) and female (n = 198, response rate 65.1%) lung cancer deaths; controls were deaths from other causes, excluding other respiratory diseases, and frequency matched by age and sex (males n = 875, response rate 73.5%; females n = 198, response rate 64.0%). MAIN RESULTS--Lung cancer risk was found to depend strongly on total cigarette consumption, on age at starting to smoke, and on time since stopping smoking. Relative risk estimates for occupational exposure in iron and steel foundries or in other industries were significantly increased in males. Relative risk in men for highest air pollution level was 1.48 (95% confidence interval 1.08-2.01), while in women the increase was not significant. The joint action of the risk facts of smoking, occupational exposure, and air pollution was found to fit almost perfectly into a multiplicative model. CONCLUSIONS--Under conditions found in Cracow, air pollution may increase lung cancer risk, acting multiplicatively with known risk factors such as smoking and industrial exposure.
Symptoms, functioning and coping strategies in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who do not take antipsychotic medication: a comparative interview study

Background A considerable proportion of people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders do not take antipsychotic medication but seem to be functioning well. However, little is known about this group. To test the assumption that absence of medication is compensated for by more effective coping and increased social support, this study compared symptoms, functioning, coping strategies and social support in non-medicated and medicated individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Method In all, 48 participants with a DSM-IV schizophrenia spectrum disorder who were taking (n = 25) or not taking antipsychotic medication (n = 23) were included. Assessment consisted of self-ratings of symptoms, symptom-related distress and social support combined with a semi-structured interview that assessed general and social functioning, subjective evaluation of symptoms and coping strategies. Results Symptom severity and distress did not differ between the groups. However, the non-medicated participants had significantly higher levels of general functioning than medicated participants and a longer duration of being non-medicated was significantly associated with a higher level of general functioning. In contrast to the hypotheses, not taking medication was not associated with more effective coping strategies or with higher levels of social support. Medicated participants more frequently reported the use of professional help as a coping strategy. Conclusions Our results corroborate previous studies finding improved functioning in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who do not take medication compared with those who take medication, but do not support the notion that this difference is explicable by better coping or higher levels of social support. Alternative explanations and avenues for research are discussed.
Cytokines and growth factors in the regulation of bone remodeling

Osteoporosis and periodontal disease both represent examples of abnormal bone remodeling. As knowledge of the cellular and molecular events in the normal bone remodeling process has accumulated in the last decade, better understanding of the pathophysiology of bone loss associated with periodontal disease and with aging has occurred. This short review does not attempt to include all aspects of this topic but covers specific areas in which there have been recent advances. (1) Observations made in the last few years have indicated that a hierarchy of both receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases may be involved in normal osteoclastic bone resorption and that certain members of these tyrosine kinase families may mediate cytokine effects. Studies in the op/op variant of murine osteopetrosis have shown that normal production of monocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor 1 (M‐CSF, also called CSF‐1) and activation of its receptor (the receptor tyrosine kinase c‐fms) are required for normal osteoclast formation. (2) Studies in mice made deficient in nonreceptor tyrosine kinase by gene knockout have shown that expression of this nonreceptor tyrosine kinase is required for normal osteoclast action and ruffled border formation, although not for osteoclast formation. (3) Recent studies have shown that in addition to protaglandins of the E series, other arachidonic acid metabolites may be involved in normal and abnormal osteoclastic bone resorption. 5‐Lipoxygenase metabolites, the leukotrienes, stimulate isolated osteoclasts to form resorption pits as well as cause osteoclastic bone resorption in organ cultures of neonatal mouse calvariae. These compounds, which are unstable in tissue culture media, are readily inhibitable by agents that inhibit 5‐lipoxygenase enzymes. Since they accumulate in chronic inflammatory cells, they may be important in bone remodeling associated with periodontal disease. (4) Recently, a new growth regulatory factor for osteoclasts has been described. This factor, called the osteoclastpoietic factor (OPF), is likely akin to the colony‐stimulating factors for the formed elements of the blood, since the osteoclast shares a common precursor with these cells. OPF enhances the differentiation of osteoclasts from committed precursors. Its role in normal and abnormal bone remodeling is still to be determined. (5) Recent studies using prolonged cultures of fetal rat calvarial cells have shown that members of the TGF‐β superfamily (TGF‐β and the BMPs) may work in concert to stimulate normal bone formation. In this in vitro model culture system, TGF‐β enhances cell proliferation but inhibits differentiated function. In contrast, BMP‐2, a prototype for the BMP family, enhances differentiated function in these cells, including expression of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and the formation of bone nodules. For more comprehensive reviews of the role of cytokines in bone remodeling, the reader is referred to Mundy (1993), Manolagas and Jilka (1992), and Canalis et al. (1989).
Individualism–collectivism, life events, and self‐esteem: a test of two trade‐offs

The theoretical implications of individualism–collectivism for self-esteem suggest that collectivism is associated with (1) relatively higher self-liking and lower self-competence and (2) greater change in self-liking in response to social life events. In contrast, individualism is expected to be associated with (1) relatively higher self-competence and lower self-liking and (2) greater change in self-competence in response to achievement-related life events. A 6-month prospective study comparing students in (collectivist) Spain and (individualist) Britain confirmed the expected differences in relative (adjusted) levels of self-liking and self-competence. The predicted differential sensitivity to social events was also confirmed. No evidence for differential sensitivity to achievement-related events, however, was found. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Objectivity in Research: Challenges from the Evidence-Based Paradigm

For other domains that have adopted the evidence-based paradigm, the impact has included research outcomes having greater influence in terms of informing and influencing practitioners and policy-makers. We examine how evidence-based practices are being adapted for use in software engineering and discuss how decision-making in our own discipline can be liberated from over-reliance on expert judgement. To support our arguments we discuss some outcomes from recent studies and present an example in which performing a systematic literature review demonstrates the unreliability of depending only upon the outcomes of individual studies. Finally, we identify six challenges that need to be addressed in order to provide software engineers with standards and practices that are underpinned by evidence.
Adaptive cognitive testing in dementia

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), a widely used screening test for dementia, can be tailored to the individual patient with Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). CAT accomplishes this by only using items that are appropriate for the level of ability of the patient under investigation. Potential advantages of CAT for clinical practice and research are efficient cognitive testing and a reduction of the test burden in elderly patients and consequently less measurement error during testing. In a two step method with previously collected CAMCOG data (n = 797) (1) patient abilities and CAMCOG item difficulties were estimated with the One Parameter Logistic Model (OPLM), a Rasch type of model. CAT was then used (2) to re‐estimate the patient abilities. Despite an average test reduction of 60%, CAT estimates were in excellent agreement (intra‐class correlation >0.98) with the results based on the entire CAMCOG and they also had similar accuracy for the diagnosis of dementia (area under the curve 0.91) as the original CAMCOG. These results were replicated in an independent sample (n = 170). We conclude that tailored testing with CAT enables much more efficient screening for dementia than testing with an extensive instrument. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Central critical values of modular L -functions and coefficients of half-integral weight modular forms modulo ℓ

If F(z) is a newform of weight 2λ and D is a fundamental discriminant, then let L(F ⊗ χD,s) be the usual twisted L-series. We study the algebraic parts of the central critical values of these twisted L-series modulo primes . We show that if there are two D (subject to some local conditions) for which the algebraic part of L(F ⊗ χD, λ) is not 0 (mod l), then there are infinitely many such D. These results depend on precise nonvanishing results for the Fourier coefficients of half-integral weight modular forms modulo l, which are of independent interest.
Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Human Periodontal Ligament Cells for Dental and Periodontal Tissue Engineering

The objective of this study was to investigate whether low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has anabolic effects on human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. The PDL cells were plated in 48-well plates and cultured at 37°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air, in a humidified incubator until confluent. The cells were divided into three groups including control, 5 min and 10 min ultrasound application. The LIPUS was applied using a 2.5 transducer that produces an incident intensity of 30 mW/cm2 of the transducer's surface area. The results from the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicates that expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP),cyclin D1 (CYC), nucleostemin (NCT) were increased after four weeks of 10 minutes of daily ultrasound treatment. The increased ALP/DNA by LIPUS shows a time dependent pattern with the highest activity occurring after four weeks of treatment. These results demonstrate that LIPUS has an anabolic effect on PDL cells and suggest that LIPUS may enhance the pluripotent characteristics of PDL cells as indicated by the up-regulation of NCT, a stem marker. These results also may explain the potential role of LIPUS in periodontal tissue regeneration.
Coping with infertility

‘‘Coping with Infertility’’ carries the subtitle ‘‘Clinically Proven Ways of Managing the Emotional Rollercoaster’’ in which Rollercoaster is the operative word. Indeed, being affected by infertility is the painful reality for one in every six couples in the English speaking world. Modern medical technology offers infertile couples great hopes and new prospects of having a baby of their own, however, the route to achieving this is certainly not an easy one. Whereas the recently diagnosed couple draws renewed energy of state of the art diagnostic technologies and new reproductive procedures, the fertility-route experienced couple are often barely coping with the stresses and strains of undergoing treatment. The infertility experience and its invasive treatment is without doubt one of the most emotionally painful challenges that can be faced by a couple. The consequences of fertility treatment need to be considered within a wider context, that includes relationship problems, communication problems, depression, inability to cope with physical treatment and hormone swings, and a great sense of loss of future. We can therefore deduce that childlessness, despite undergoing the most advanced of treatments in a hospital setting, calls for one further necessity: an informative (in)fertility treatment guide to coping strategies. ‘‘Coping with Infertility’’ successfully combines basic medical information and background facts about the origin of various reproductive problems and their suitable treatments. The guide is practical, dynamic and easy to understand. The checklists to identify emotional trouble spots of the couple makes this book a useful resource for anyone who is involved in the emotional turmoil of fertility treatment. The book’s no-nonsense approach should also appeal to health workers who can learn a lot about understanding the patients’ true feelings and hidden anxieties, and more importantly, how to communicate with patients and how to offer advice in a situation which is, sadly, often laced with stress, loss, and grief. The book’s chapters contain a series of quizzes to identify emotional trouble spots. The authors make use of stories and quotes from real (North-American) fertility patients. It offers support and helps the reader to apply the described coping techniques in their own lives. It goes without saying that the emotional rollercoaster is well worth the ride if it culminates in a babe in arms. However, ‘‘Coping with Infertility’’ offers a balancing perspective by bringing home the message that, even when ultimately unsuccessful in the quest for a child, there’s life after fertility treatment. Exercises, assignments, checklists, and coping strategies throughout the book help the reader to hold on tight during the ups and downs of the boneshaking ride called Fertility Treatment. A most practical guide which will be devoured in one go by those trapped for the umpteenth time in yet another stomach churning but exhilarating ‘‘loopthe-loop’’ of life.
BOND STRENGTH OF DEFORMED BARS IN TENSION

Thirty-nine beams have been tested giving results which agree well with a theoretical lower bound to bond strength. It is found that laps and single-bar anchorages behave similarly and that the contribution of transverse reinforcement may not be related to the yield stress of the reinforcement. A change is recommended in the CP 110 bond requirements for deformed bars, and a design equation is proposed which includes the effect of cover and transverse reinforcement. (TRRL)
Effectiveness of Conservative Therapy and Helmet Therapy for Positional Cranial Deformation.

Your excellent review of techniques for this very challenging hand surgery problem is very informative. We also agree with your conclusion that “the consensus appears to favor less invasive techniques whenever possible. ” We would like to draw your attention to a publication in Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.1,2 In this article by Siddiqui, Hossain, and Huq, 12 patients were treated using a completely noninvasive traction device system in which no Kirschner wires were required (Fig. 1). A final arc of the proximal interphalangeal joint fractures in this study averaged 89 degrees (range, 25 to 111 degrees). The advantages of the nail hooks and elastic band external dynamic traction system is that it involves no risk of pin-site infections and no need to remove any type of Kirschner wire or fixation system. The system is similar to that of a Kleinert-type elastic traction system. The complication rate was very reasonable, in keeping with other described techniques. Perhaps this technique should be included by surgeons for treatment of intraarticular proximal interphalangeal joint fractures. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001765
Epileptiform Activity Induced by Pharmacologic Reduction of M‐Current in the Developing Hippocampus in Vitro

Summary: Purpose: Benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNCs), an inheritable epilepsy that occurs in neonates but not in adults, is caused by hypofunctional mutations in genes codifying for the M‐type K+ current. In an attempt to develop an in vitro model of this disease, we tested whether blocking M‐current with linopirdine induces epileptiform activity in brain slices from animals of different ages.
Down-regulation of G9a triggers DNA damage response and inhibits colorectal cancer cells proliferation

G9a, a histone methyltransferase, is aberrantly expressed in some human tumor types. By comparing 182 paired colorectal cancer and peritumoral tissues, we found that G9a was highly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). Overexpression of G9a promoted CRC cells proliferation and colony formation, whereas knockdown of G9a inhibited CRC cells proliferation. Depletion of G9a increased the rate of chromosome aberration, induced DNA double strand breaks and CRC cells senescence. G9a inhibition synergistically increased γH2AX expression induced by topoisomerase I inhibitors and ultimately led to CRC cell death. The findings that down-regulation of G9a triggers DNA damage response and inhibits colorectal cancer cells proliferation may define G9a as potential oncotarget in CRC.
Analysis of the O-GEometric history length branch predictor

In this paper, we introduce and analyze the Optimized GEometric History Length (O-GEHL) branch Predictor that efficiently exploits very long global histories in the 100-200 bits range. The GEHL predictor features several predictor tables T(i) (e.g. 8) indexed through independent functions of the global branch history and branch address. The set of used global history lengths forms a geometric series, i.e., L(j) = /spl alpha//sup j-1/L(1). This allows the GEHL predictor to efficiently capture correlation on recent branch outcomes as well as on very old branches. As on perceptron predictors, the prediction is computed through the addition of the predictions read on the predictor tables. The O-GEHL predictor further improves the ability of the GEHL predictor to exploit very long histories through the addition of dynamic history fitting and dynamic threshold fitting. The O-GEHL predictor can be ahead pipelined to provide in time predictions on every cycle.
An alternative approach to equivariant stable homotopy theory

Building on the work of Martin Stolz, we develop the basics of equivariant stable homotopy theory starting from the simple idea that a G- spectrum should just be a spectrum with an action of G on it, in contrast to the usual approach in which the definition of a G-spectrum depends on a choice of universe.