Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silicon-Based Hybrid (de)Multiplexer for Wavelength-/Polarization-Division-Multiplexing

A novel hybrid multiplexer for wavelength-division- multiplexing (WDM) and polarization-division-multiplexing (PDM) is proposed and realized by integrating a polarization-splitter-rotator (PSR) and an optical-filter array based on novel microring resonators (MRRs). With the PSR, the launched TM-polarized light is rotated to be TE-polarized and outputs from the cross port while the launched TE-polarized light outputs from the through port directly. In the proposed novel configuration, the cross- and through-ports of the PSR are connected through the bus waveguide for all the MRR-based optical filters. In this way, each MRR-based optical filter works bidirectionally and has two drop ports, from which the same wavelength channel of TE- and TM-polarizations are dropped separately. As an example, a 16-channel hybrid WDM-PDM multiplexer is designed and realized with eight wavelength channels and dual polarizations by integrating a PSR and eight MRR-based optical filters with box-like responses. The fabricated PSR has an excess loss of ∼0.6 dB and an extinction ratio (ER) of ∼20 dB in the wavelength range from 1550 to 1580 nm. The optical filters are designed by using cascaded MRRs with bent directional couplers, which works for TE polarization only with very high ER (>35 dB) and, thus, reduces the polarization crosstalk greatly. For the MRR-based optical filters of the present hybrid (de)multiplexer, the channel spacing is 400 GHz (3.2 nm), the crosstalk between the adjacent channels is <−25 dB, and the 3 dB bandwidth is as large as 250 GHz (2 nm). For the demonstrated 16-channel hybrid (de)multiplexer, the on-chip loss is ∼3 dB for all the channels and the footprint is 500 μm × 300 μ m. The present hybrid (de)multiplexer can be extended for more channels by reducing the channel spacing as well as increasing the free-spectral range of the MRRs.
Can an Unpredictable Childhood Environment Enhance Working Memory? Testing the Sensitized-Specialization Hypothesis

Although growing up in an adverse childhood environment tends to impair cognitive functions, evolutionary-developmental theory suggests that this might be only one part of the story. A person’s mind may instead become developmentally specialized and potentially enhanced for solving problems in the types of environments in which the person grew up. In the current research, we tested whether these specialized advantages in cognitive function might be sensitized to emerge in currently uncertain contexts. We refer to this as the sensitized-specialization hypothesis. We conducted experimental tests of this hypothesis in the domain of working memory, examining how growing up in unpredictable versus predictable environments affects different facets of working memory. Although growing up in an unpredictable environment is typically associated with impairments in working memory, we show that this type of environment is positively associated with those aspects of working memory that are useful in rapidly changing environments. Importantly, these effects emerged only when the current context was uncertain. These theoretically derived findings suggest that childhood environments shape, rather than uniformly impair, cognitive functions.
Is there a Zero Temperature bias point (ZTC) on Back Enhanced (BE) SOI MOSFET?

This paper reports the temperature influence on the Back Enhanced (BE) SOI MOSFET fabricated with two different source/drain contact electrodes: Ohmic and Schottky. The BE SOI MOSFET (Patent BR 102015020974-6, 2015) is a kind of undoped junction-less SOI transistor, which works like an n-type or p-type MOS, depending on the back bias conditions. In spite of the Schottky contact at source/drain is mandatory in order to have both type of transistor working in a similar way, the use of Ohmic contact may present some specials advantages. The results showed the presence of a ZTC (Zero Temperature Coefficient) bias condition only in the device with Ohmic source/drain contact. It was observed that the Schottky contact resistance decreased when the temperature increases resulting in a higher current and consequently the absence of the ZTC. This effect is explained through experimental measurements and simulation.
Characterization of the mass-dependent transmission efficiency of a CIMS

Abstract. Knowledge about mass discrimination effects in a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) is crucial for quantifying, e.g., the recently discovered extremely low volatile organic compounds (ELVOCs) and other compounds for which no calibration standard exists so far. Here, we present a simple way of estimating mass discrimination effects of a nitrate-based chemical ionization atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight (CI-APi-TOF) mass spectrometer. Characterization of the mass discrimination is achieved by adding different perfluorinated acids to the mass spectrometer in amounts sufficient to deplete the primary ions significantly. The relative transmission efficiency can then be determined by comparing the decrease of signals from the primary ions and the increase of signals from the perfluorinated acids at higher masses. This method is in use already for PTR-MS; however, its application to a CI-APi-TOF brings additional difficulties, namely clustering and fragmentation of the measured compounds, which can be treated with statistical analysis of the measured data, leading to self-consistent results. We also compare this method to a transmission estimation obtained with a setup using an electrospray ion source, a high-resolution differential mobility analyzer and an electrometer, which estimates the transmission of the instrument without the CI source. Both methods give different transmission curves, indicating non-negligible mass discrimination effects of the CI source. The absolute transmission of the instrument without the CI source was estimated with the HR-DMA method to plateau between the m∕z range of 127 and 568 Th at around 1.5 %; however, for the CI source included, the depletion method showed a steady increase in relative transmission efficiency from the m∕z range of the primary ion (mainly at 62 Th) to around 550 Th by a factor of around 5. The main advantages of the depletion method are that the instrument is used in the same operation mode as during standard measurements and no knowledge of the absolute amount of the measured substance is necessary, which results in a simple setup.
Segmental and regional quantification of 3D cellular density of human meniscus from osteoarthritic knee

The knee menisci have important roles in the knee joint. Complete healing of the meniscus remains a challenge in the clinics. Cellularity is one of the most important biological parameters that must be taken into account in regenerative strategies. However, knowledge on the 3D cellularity of the human meniscus is lacking in the literature. The aim of this study was to quantify the 3D cellular density of human meniscus from the osteoarthritic knee in a segmental and regional manner with respect to laterality. Human lateral menisci were histologically processed and stained with Giemsa for histomorphometric analysis. The cells were counted in an in‐depth fashion. 3D cellular density in the vascular region (27 199 cells/mm3) was significantly higher than in the avascular region (12 820 cells/mm3). The cells were observed to possess two distinct morphologies, roundish or flattened. The 3D density of cells with fibrochondrocyte morphology (14 705 cells/mm3) was significantly greater than the 3D density of the cells with fibroblast‐like cell morphology (5539 cells/mm3). The best‐fit equation for prediction of the 3D density of cells with fibrochondrocyte morphology was found to be:
Influence of temperature and growth selection on turkey pectoralis major muscle satellite cell adipogenic gene expression and lipid accumulation

&NA; Immature poults have an inefficient thermoregulatory system, and therefore extreme ambient temperatures can impact their internal body temperature. Satellite cells, the only posthatch myonuclei source, are multipotential stem cells and sensitive to temperature. Selection for faster‐growing, high‐yielding birds has altered satellite‐cell properties. The objective of the current study was to determine how temperature affects adipogenic properties of satellite cells isolated from the pectoralis major (p. major) muscle of Randombred Control line (RBC2) and F line turkeys selected only for increased 16‐wk body weight from the RBC2 line. Satellite cells were cultured at 2°C incremental temperatures between 33 and 43°C and compared to cells cultured at the control temperature of 38°C to ascertain temperature effects on lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic genes: CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein‐&bgr; (C/EBP&bgr;), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐&ggr; (PPAR&ggr;), and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD). During proliferation, the amount of quantifiable lipid in both F and RBC2 satellite cells increased at temperatures above 38°C (P < 0.01) and decreased at temperatures below 38°C (P < 0.01). Above 38°C, RBC2 satellite cells had more lipid (P = 0.02) compared to the F line, whereas there were few differences between lines below 38°C. At 72 h of proliferation, expression of C/EBP&bgr;, PPAR&ggr;, and SCD decreased (P ≤ 0.02) as temperatures increased from 33 to 43°C in both cell lines. During differentiation expression of C/EBP&bgr; increased (P < 0.01) as temperatures increased from 33 to 43°C in both cell lines. In F line satellite cells, PPAR&ggr; expression decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing temperatures during differentiation, whereas there was no linear trend in RBC2 cells. During differentiation expression of SCD increased as temperatures increased (P < 0.01) in RBC2 cells, and there was no linear trend within the F line. Results from the current study suggest that environmental temperature can affect p. major satellite cellular fate; however, selection for increased body weight had little impact on these cellular responses.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Incident Depression in Young and Middle-Age Adults

Background The role of subclinical hypothyroidism in the development of depression remains controversial. We examined the prospective association between subclinical hypothyroidism and incident depressive symptoms. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of 220,545 middle-age adults without depression who had undergone at least two comprehensive health examinations between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. The study outcome was incident depressive symptoms, defined as a Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression score >16. Results During a median follow-up period of 2 years, incident depressive symptoms occurred in 7323 participants. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for incident depressive symptoms comparing subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid participants was 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.87 to 1.09). Similarly, among euthyroid participants (n = 87,822), no apparent association was found between thyroid hormone levels and an increased risk of incident depressive symptoms. Conclusions No apparent association was found between subclinical hypothyroidism and incident depressive symptoms in a large prospective cohort of middle-age men and women.
- Government Payoffs : Evidence from Cross-Country Data

Using secondary data from 99 countries and IT impact literature as the guiding theoretical perspective; we examine the payoffs from e-government in the form of national performance. We do this by initially examining the relationship of e-government development with the first order government process efficiency parameters (resource spending efficiency and administrative process efficiency). Subsequently we examine the association of these first order efficiency outcomes with the two second order dimensions of national performance (reduction of social divide and business competitiveness). Our analysis reveals significant association of ‘e-government development’ with both the first order ‘government efficiency parameters’. Further analysis reveals significant relationships of ‘government efficiency parameters’ with the dimensions of ‘national performance’. Important role of ‘national business competitiveness’ in the reduction of ‘social divide’ is brought forth through post-hoc analysis. Through this research, we make some important contributions which have implications for researchers, practitioners, public administrators, and policy makers.
A Smart Toy to Enhance the Decision-Making Process at Children’s Psychomotor Delay Screenings: A Pilot Study

Background EDUCERE (“Ubiquitous Detection Ecosystem to Care and Early Stimulation for Children with Developmental Disorders”) is an ecosystem for ubiquitous detection, care, and early stimulation of children with developmental disorders. The objectives of this Spanish government-funded research and development project are to investigate, develop, and evaluate innovative solutions to detect changes in psychomotor development through the natural interaction of children with toys and everyday objects, and perform stimulation and early attention activities in real environments such as home and school. Thirty multidisciplinary professionals and three nursery schools worked in the EDUCERE project between 2014 and 2017 and they obtained satisfactory results. Related to EDUCERE, we found studies based on providing networks of connected smart objects and the interaction between toys and social networks. Objective This research includes the design, implementation, and validation of an EDUCERE smart toy aimed to automatically detect delays in psychomotor development. The results from initial tests led to enhancing the effectiveness of the original design and deployment. The smart toy, based on stackable cubes, has a data collector module and a smart system for detection of developmental delays, called the EDUCERE developmental delay screening system (DDSS). Methods The pilot study involved 65 toddlers aged between 23 and 37 months (mean=29.02, SD 3.81) who built a tower with five stackable cubes, designed by following the EDUCERE smart toy model. As toddlers made the tower, sensors in the cubes sent data to a collector module through a wireless connection. All trials were video-recorded for further analysis by child development experts. After watching the videos, experts scored the performance of the trials to compare and fine-tune the interpretation of the data automatically gathered by the toy-embedded sensors. Results Judges were highly reliable in an interrater agreement analysis (intraclass correlation 0.961, 95% CI 0.937-0.967), suggesting that the process was successful to separate different levels of performance. A factor analysis of collected data showed that three factors, trembling, speed, and accuracy, accounted for 76.79% of the total variance, but only two of them were predictors of performance in a regression analysis: accuracy (P=.001) and speed (P=.002). The other factor, trembling (P=.79), did not have a significant effect on this dependent variable. Conclusions The EDUCERE DDSS is ready to use the regression equation obtained for the dependent variable “performance” as an algorithm for the automatic detection of psychomotor developmental delays. The results of the factor analysis are valuable to simplify the design of the smart toy by taking into account only the significant variables in the collector module. The fine-tuning of the toy process module will be carried out by following the specifications resulting from the analysis of the data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the product.
Discrimination of patients with type 2 myocardial infarction

Aims The differentiation of type 1 and type 2 myocardial infarction (T1MI, T2MI) is important, but challenging in the emergency department. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and cardiovascular outcome of T2MI patients and to develop a clinical decision tool to differentiate T1MI and T2MI patients. Methods and results We prospectively enrolled 1548 patients with suspected MI. All patients were followed for up to 2 years to assess mortality. We used logistic regression with backward step-down selection to determine the most important predictors of T2MI. Based on these regression coefficients, we developed a diagnostic prediction model (score) to diagnose T2MI. T2MI was the final diagnosis of 99 patients. Patients with T2MI showed a high 1-year mortality rate (13.8%), which equals that of T1MI patients (9.4%). Female sex (Beta 1.27 [95% confidence interval; CI 0.67-1.90]), not having radiating chest pain (Beta 1.62 [CI 0.96-2.34]) and a baseline high-sensitivity troponin I concentration ≤ 40.8 ng/L (Beta 1.30 [CI 0.74-1.89]) were the strongest predictors for T2MI. Their combination resulted in an area under the curve of 0.71 to discriminate T1MI and T2MI. The binary score based on this model assigns one point to each of the predictors. Patients with the highest score value of 3 had a 72% probability of T2MI. Conclusion T2MI patients are a heterogeneous population with high-cardiovascular risk. A score based on laboratory and clinical parameters might help to differentiate T1MI and T2MI patients. The additional use of this score in clinical routine needs to be investigated prospectively. Trial registration www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT02355457).
Multiclonal emergence of levofloxacin-resistant group B Streptococcus, Taiwan

Objectives This study investigated the trend in antimicrobial resistance among group B Streptococcus (GBS) from a national surveillance programme in Taiwan and delineated characteristics of and factors associated with levofloxacin-resistant isolates. Methods Clinical isolates of all sample types and patient groups were collected from multiple hospitals biennially between 2002 and 2012. Susceptibilities to different antibiotics were determined by broth microdilution. Molecular studies of levofloxacin-resistant isolates included serotyping, PFGE, mutations in the QRDRs and MLST. Results A total of 1559 isolates were tested and all remained susceptible to penicillin, cephalosporins, meropenem and vancomycin. However, levofloxacin resistance increased from 2.2% (range 0%-3.3%) in 2002-06 to 6.2% (5.9%-7.5%) in 2008-12 (P = 0.016). Among the 88 levofloxacin-resistant isolates, the majority (79.5%) had the GyrA(S81L)+ParC(S79F/Y) double mutations and most (54.5%) were also resistant to clindamycin, erythromycin and tetracycline. The predominant genotype of the levofloxacin-resistant isolates was ST19/serotype III (43.2%). Four previously unreported genotypes, ST1 and its single-locus variants (ST920 and ST922)/serotype VI (28.4%) and ST1/serotype II (18.2%), were found to have circulated locally. Serotype III isolates were predominately from urine and female genital tract specimens and <65-year-old adult outpatients, while serotype II and VI isolates were mostly from respiratory and urine samples and >65-year-old inpatients. Multivariate analysis revealed that elderly age and respiratory samples were independent factors associated with levofloxacin resistance. Conclusions Multiclonal emergence and dissemination of levofloxacin-resistant GBS isolates occurred in healthcare and community settings in Taiwan. Continuous molecular-level surveillance is important to detect new epidemic trends.
Analysis of physical characteristics of Tumor Treating Fields for human glioblastoma

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is an approved treatment that has known clinical efficacy against recurrent and newly diagnosed glioblastoma. However, the distribution of the electric fields and the corresponding pattern of energy deposition in the brain are poorly understood. To evaluate the physical parameters that may influence TTFields, postacquisition MP‐RAGE, T1 and T2 MRI sequences from a responder with a right parietal glioblastoma were anatomically segmented and then solved using finite‐element method to determine the distribution of the electric fields and rate of energy deposition at the gross tumor volume (GTV) and other intracranial structures. Electric field–volume histograms (EVH) and specific absorption rate–volume histograms (SARVH) were constructed to numerically evaluate the relative and/or absolute magnitude volumetric differences between models. The electric field parameters EAUC, VE150, E95%, E50%, and E20%, as well as the SAR parameters SARAUC, VSAR7.5, SAR95%, SAR50%, and SAR20%, facilitated comparisons between models derived from various conditions. Specifically, TTFields at the GTV were influenced by the dielectric characteristics of the adjacent tissues as well as the GTV itself, particularly the presence or absence of a necrotic core. The thickness of the cerebrospinal fluid on the convexity of the brain and the geometry of the tumor were also relevant factors. Finally, the position of the arrays also influenced the electric field distribution and rate of energy deposition in the GTV. Using EVH and SARVH, a personalized approach for TTFields treatment can be developed when various patient‐related and tumor‐related factors are incorporated into the planning procedure.
Increasing the power of meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies to detect heterogeneous effects

Motivation: Meta‐analysis is essential to combine the results of genome‐wide association studies (GWASs). Recent large‐scale meta‐analyses have combined studies of different ethnicities, environments and even studies of different related phenotypes. These differences between studies can manifest as effect size heterogeneity. We previously developed a modified random effects model (RE2) that can achieve higher power to detect heterogeneous effects than the commonly used fixed effects model (FE). However, RE2 cannot perform meta‐analysis of correlated statistics, which are found in recent research designs, and the identified variants often overlap with those found by FE. Results: Here, we propose RE2C, which increases the power of RE2 in two ways. First, we generalized the likelihood model to account for correlations of statistics to achieve optimal power, using an optimization technique based on spectral decomposition for efficient parameter estimation. Second, we designed a novel statistic to focus on the heterogeneous effects that FE cannot detect, thereby, increasing the power to identify new associations. We developed an efficient and accurate p‐value approximation procedure using analytical decomposition of the statistic. In simulations, RE2C achieved a dramatic increase in power compared with the decoupling approach (71% vs. 21%) when the statistics were correlated. Even when the statistics are uncorrelated, RE2C achieves a modest increase in power. Applications to real genetic data supported the utility of RE2C. RE2C is highly efficient and can meta‐analyze one hundred GWASs in one day. Availability and implementation: The software is freely available at http://software.buhmhan. com/RE2C. Contact: buhm.han@amc.seoul. kr Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.