Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
All-optical Reservoir Computing

Reservoir Computing is a novel computing paradigm that uses a nonlinear recurrent dynamical system to carry out information processing. Recent electronic and optoelectronic Reservoir Computers based on an architecture with a single nonlinear node and a delay loop have shown performance on standardized tasks comparable to state-of-the-art digital implementations. Here we report an all-optical implementation of a Reservoir Computer, made of off-the-shelf components for optical telecommunications. It uses the saturation of a semiconductor optical amplifier as nonlinearity. The present work shows that, within the Reservoir Computing paradigm, all-optical computing with state-of-the-art performance is possible.
Flexural Fatigue Performance of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Step-Wise Functionally and Non-Functionally Graded Composites of Different Structures

Abstract Flexural fatigue performance of newly developed step-wise functionally graded (FG) composites has been investigated experimentally. Two unidirectional glass fiber (UGF)/epoxy FG composites with overall fiber volume fraction of 39.9 ± 0.3% and thickness of 6.0 ± 0.1 mm were fabricated using hand lay-up technique. The fabrication proposed technique depends on the variation of the composite structure achieved by three different templates. A non-functionally graded (NFG) composite laminate with the same overall fiber volume fraction and thickness was also fabricated using a fourth template for comparison. Each of the FG and NFG composites is made of six plies. Each ply has a thickness of 1.0 mm. This occurs by controlling the amount of matrix in each ply (constant matrix amount for all plies). Fatigue tests were performed at zero mean stress. A 20% reduction of the initial flexural stiffness was taken as a failure criterion. The S–N curves for the fabricated FG and NFG composites have been constructed as design curves. For FG composites, the effects of the spatial gradient of fiber content and plies stacking sequence on both S–N relationships and the specimens’ surface temperature rise were studied. Two-parameter Weibull distribution function was used to statistically analyze the fatigue life results.
Diode laser treatment as an alternative to antibiotic premedication: Examining the efficacy of diode laser therapy on periodontal bacteria

Lasers used in the treatment of periodontal therapy are becoming more prevalent in dental offices. Patients with periodontal disease see extensive improvements in their periodontal status and overall health with laser therapy. Studies have shown a decreased prevalence in oral bacteria following these treatments (Moritz et al., 1998). Dental lasers in the treatment of periodontal disease can reduce significantly the bacterial population in the gingival tissue, theoretically reducing the need for antibiotic premedication (Kamma, Vasdekis, & Romanos, 2006). Future research in this area can provide the groundwork for the advancement of laser therapy in all aspects of medicine as well.
Factors correlated with disclosure of HIV infection in the French Antilles and French Guiana: results from the ANRS-EN13-VESPA-DFA Study

Objectives:To determine the rate, patterns and predictors of HIV disclosure in the French Antilles and French Guiana. Methods:A cross-sectional survey was carried out among a 15% random sample (n = 398) of the hospital caseload in hospitals providing HIV care. Determinants of disclosure to a steady partner and other members of the individual's social network were analysed using logistic regression. Results:From the time of diagnosis, 84.6% of those in a couple (n = 173) disclosed their HIV-positive status to their steady partner, 55.6% disclosed to others, and 30.3% did not tell their status to anyone. Disclosure within a steady partnership was less likely among non-French individuals [Haitians: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02–0.72; other nationalities: AOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02–0.68]; and among those diagnosed with HIV after 1997 (AOR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05–0.86). Determinants of disclosure to others were found to be sex (women: AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.24–3.36), age at diagnosis (≥ 50 versus < 30 years: AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.19–0.90), nationality (Haitians versus French: AOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19–0.77), transmission route (non-sexual versus sexual: AOR 3.38, 95% CI 1.12–10.23) and hospital inpatients (hospitalized versus non-hospitalized patients: AOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.17–3.37). After disclosing, social and emotional support from confidants was common and discrimination was infrequent. Conclusion:One third of PLWHA had kept their HIV status secret. Interventions targeting the general population and social institutions, and support for PLWHA by healthcare staff are needed to improve the situation.
Antibody Avidity in Humoral Immune Responses in Bangladeshi Children and Adults following Administration of an Oral Killed Cholera Vaccine

ABSTRACT Antibody avidity for antigens following disease or vaccination increases with affinity maturation and somatic hypermutation. In this study, we followed children and adults in Bangladesh for 1 year following oral cholera vaccination and measured the avidity of antibodies to the T cell-dependent antigen cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) and the T cell-independent antigen lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in comparison with responses in other immunological measurements. Children produced CTB-specific IgG and IgA antibodies of high avidity following vaccination, which persisted for several months; the magnitudes of responses were comparable to those seen in adult vaccinees. The avidity of LPS-specific IgG and IgA antibodies in vaccinees increased significantly shortly after the second dose of vaccine but waned rapidly to baseline levels thereafter. CTB-specific memory B cells were present for only a short time following vaccination, and we did not find significant memory B cell responses to LPS in any age group. For older children, there was a significant correlation between CTB-specific memory T cell responses after the second dose of vaccine and CTB-specific IgG antibody avidity indices over the subsequent year. These findings suggest that vaccination induces a longer-lasting increase in the avidity of antibodies to a T cell-dependent antigen than is measured by a memory B cell response to that antigen and that early memory T cell responses correlate well with the subsequent development of higher-avidity antibodies.
Spatial Multiplexing Architectures with Jointly Designed Rate-Tailoring and Ordered BLAST Decoding - Part I: Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff Analysis

The V-BLAST (vertical Bell Labs layered space-time) architecture involves independent coding/decoding per antenna (layer) with equal rate and power per antenna and a fixed order of nulling/canceling decoding but is known to suffer from poor performance; for example, in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) Rayleigh fading channel with Mt transmit and Mr receive antennas (Mr ges Mt), the diversity-multiplexing gain (D-M) tradeoff is just (Mr-Mt+1)(1-r/Mt) for risin[0, Mt]. There are two remedies available, namely, (i) channel-dependent ordered decoding at the receiver and (ii) allocation of rates and powers across the transmit antennas. However, the former doesn't improve the D-M tradeoff curve and while the latter does (with maximum diversity gain Mr and maximum multiplexing gain Mt), its tradeoff curve is still significantly inferior compared to the D-M tradeoff curve of the optimum (unconstrained) MIMO architecture. In this two-part paper, it is shown that a dramatically better D-M tradeoff and error (e.g. outage) probability can be obtained if the two remedies, i.e., ordered BLAST decoding and rate/power allocation, are judiciously combined. Indeed, a framework is developed for jointly designing channel-dependent ordered decoding at the receiver and decoding order-dependent rate/power allocation at the transmitter. The framework encompasses a large class of new spatial multiplexing architectures (SMAs). In this part, an upper bound to the D-M tradeoff for this class is obtained and found to be quite close to the optimal D-M tradeoff of the MIMO channel. Two special SMAs are proposed corresponding to two different decoding orderings. One is called the norm ordering rate tailored SMA (NRT-SMA), and the other is called the greedy ordering rate tailored SMA (GRT-SMA). The latter is shown to have the D-M tradeoff equal to the upper bound and is hence optimal in D-M tradeoff among the proposed class of SMAs. Compared to the traditional V-BLAST architecture, the only added complexity of these SMAs is due to (i) feeding back the decoding order information (leslog2(Mt! ) bits) per channel realization, and (ii) applying rate and power allocation according to a pre-computed lookup table.
Regulation of oxaloacetate, aspartate, and malate formation in mesophyll protoplast extracts of three types of c(4) plants.

The use of mesophyll protoplast extracts from various C(4) species has provided an effective method for studying light-and substrate-dependent formation of oxaloacetate, malate, and asparate at rates equivalent to whole leaf C(4) photosynthesis. Conditions regulating the formation of the C(4) acids were studied with protoplast extracts from Digitaria sanguinalis, an NADP-malic enzyme C(4) species, Eleusineindica, an NAD-malic enzyme C(4) species, and Urochloa panicoides, a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase C(4) species. Light-dependent induction of CO(2) fixation by the mesophyll extracts of all three species was relatively low without addition of exogenous substrates. Pyruvate, alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate, or 3-phosphoglycerate induced high rates of CO(2) fixation in the mesophyll extracts with oxaloacetate, malate, and aspartate being the primary products. In all three species, it appears that pyruvate, alanine, or 3-phosphoglycerate may serve as effective precursors to the formation of PEP for carboxylation through PEP-carboxylase in C(4) mesophyll cells. Induction by pyruvate or alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate was light-dependent, whereas 3-phosphoglycerate-induced CO(2) fixation was not.Several differences between these species representing the three C(4) groups were observed. Substrate induction of CO(2) fixation in mesophyll protoplast extracts of D. sanguinalis gave malate as a major product; only by an apparent exchange reaction with cold aspartate did substantial label appear in aspartate (up to 53% of labeled products). In contrast, aspartate was a major product when alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate served as inducing substrates with E. indica (up to 57%) and U. panicoides (up to 86%). With induction by pyruvate or 3-phosphoglycerate, mesophyll preparations of U. panicoides and E. indica were less effective in forming malate (up to 31% of products) than D. sanguinalis (up to 87% of products). After 2 seconds of whole leaf (14)CO(2) fixation, malate was the major labeled product (57%) with D. sanguinalis, whereas with E. indica and U. panicoides aspartate was the predominant product (73% and 76%, respectively). With mesophyll protoplast extracts of D. sanguinalis, aspartate inhibited CO(2) fixation (about 50% at 0.6 mm), while malate was relatively uninhibitory at comparable concentrations. CO(2) fixation by mesophyll protoplast extracts of E. indica was inhibited by malate (about 50% at 0.6 mm), while aspartate was relatively uninhibitory. With mesophyll preparations of U. panicoides, malate or aspartate (2 mm) caused only slight inhibition of CO(2) fixation. The regulation of aspartate and malate synthesis in C(4) mesophyll cells is discussed relative to initial products of photosynthesis in C(4) species in vivo and species differences in the mechanisms of C(4) photosynthesis.
Shape and Material Selection for Optimizing Flexural Vibrations in Multilayered Resonators

Flexural stiffness domains have been determined for optimizing the vibration frequency of a multilayered microresonator. It is demonstrated in an efficiency map that, for a given eigenvalue, the flexural properties of a two-materials system, including all possible symmetric and asymmetric multiple-layers arrangements, fall into a domain limited by two curves. These low and upper boundaries describe symmetric three-layers systems consisting of two dissimilar materials. The flexural response model adopted in this paper is based on the Euler-Bernoulli theory, and the results are obtained by extending a scheme for modeling efficiency of monolithic structures (see D. Pasini, "Shape transformers for material and shape selection of lightweight beams", J. Mater. Design, 2006). Shape parameters are introduced to explore the impact on the resonator vibrations of the cross-section shape, the arrangement, symmetry and number of layers, as well as the materials properties and their volume fraction. The application of the maps to a case study shows that the method can assist to exploit geometry and material potential of microstructures, especially at the concept stage of design
What leads people to keep on e-learning? An empirical analysis of users' experiences and their effects on continuance intention

User retention is a major goal for higher education institutions running their teaching and learning programmes online. This is the first investigation into how the senses of presence and flow, together with perceptions about two central elements of the virtual education environment (didactic resource quality and instructor attitude), facilitate the user's intention to continue e-learning. We use data collected from a large sample survey of current users in a pure e-learning environment along with objective data about their performance. The results provide support to the theoretical model. The paper further offers practical suggestions for institutions and instructors who aim to provide effective e-learning experiences.
Singing voice detection in popular music

We propose a novel technique for the automatic classification of vocal and non-vocal regions in an acoustic musical signal. Our technique uses a combination of harmonic content attenuation using higher level musical knowledge of key followed by sub-band energy processing to obtain features from the musical audio signal. We employ a Multi-Model Hidden Markov Model (MM-HMM) classifier for vocal and non-vocal classification that utilizes song structure information to create multiple models as opposed to conventional HMM training methods that employ only one model for each class. A statistical hypothesis testing approach followed by an automatic bootstrapping process is employed to further improve the accuracy of classification. An experimental evaluation on a database of 20 popular songs shows the validity of the proposed approach with an average classification accuracy of 86.7%.
Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures Made of Recycled Aggregates

The generation of construction, renovation, and demolition waste in large quantities poses a major challenge for town planners. Recycling can provide an effective solution to this problem, in addition to reducing the rapid depletion of natural resources. This article examines the results of experimental studies that have been conducted to investigate the use of recycled aggregates (RAs) in mixtures of hot mix asphalt. Sources of RA consisted of waste concrete and reclaimed asphalt pavement. Three levels of RA addition with natural crushed stone aggregates (CSAs) and three types of mixtures were considered. The mixtures made with CSA were used as control samples. Marshall mix samples of asphalt-aggregate mixtures were prepared and tested in a Marshall testing machine. The air voids and stability/flow characteristics of these mixtures were investigated. The optimum asphalt contents (OACs) of mixtures were determined using air void data. The performance of the employed mixtures was compared with the criteria established by the National Highway Authority (NHA) for wearing course material in Pakistan. Rutting samples of mixtures similar to those used in the Marshall stability tests were prepared using the OAC data for bituminous binder. These samples were tested in a wheel tracking device. All three types of mixtures used in the studies conformed to the specification requirements for wearing course material given by the NHA. The rutting behaviors of the majority of the mixtures were also satisfactory.
Evaluation of the dependence of CEST-EPI measurement on repetition time, RF irradiation duty cycle and imaging flip angle for enhanced pH sensitivity

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast mechanism that can detect dilute CEST agents and microenvironmental properties, with a host of promising applications. Experimental measurement of the CEST effect is complex, and depends on not only CEST agent concentration and exchange rate, but also experimental parameters such as RF irradiation amplitude and scheme. Although echo planar imaging (EPI) has been increasingly used for CEST MRI, the relationship between CEST effect and repetition time (TR), RF irradiation duty cycle (DC) and EPI flip angle (α) has not been fully evaluated and optimized to enhance CEST MRI sensitivity. In addition, our study evaluated gradient echo CEST-EPI by quantifying the CEST effect and its signal-to-noise ratio per unit time (SNRput) as functions of TR, DC and α. We found that CEST effect increased with TR and DC but decreased with α. Importantly, we found that SNRput peaked at intermediate TRs of about twice the T1 and α, at approximately 75°, and increased with RF DC. The simulation results were validated using a dual-pH creatine-gel CEST phantom. In summary, our study provides a useful framework for optimizing CEST MRI experiments.
Subjective Evaluation of Physical and Mental Workload Interactions Across Different Muscle Groups

Both physical and mental demands, and their interactions, have been shown to increase biomechanical loading and physiological reactivity as well as impair task performance. Because these interactions have shown to be muscle-dependent, the aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of the NASA Task Load Index (NASA TLX) and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to evaluate physical and mental workload during muscle-specific tasks. Twenty-four participants performed upper extremity and low back exertions at three physical workload levels in the absence and presence of a mental stressor. Outcome measures included RPE and NASA TLX (six sub-scales) ratings. The findings indicate that while both RPEs and NASA TLX ratings were sensitive to muscle-specific changes in physical demand, only an additional mental stressor and its interaction with either physical demand or muscle groups influenced the effort sub-scale and overall workload scores of the NASA TLX. While additional investigations in actual work settings are warranted, the NASA TLX shows promise in evaluating perceived workload that is sensitive not only to physical and mental demands but also sensitive in determining workload for tasks that employ different muscle groups.
Airway management in patients with deep neck infections

AbstractSecuring the airway in patients undergoing surgical intervention to control a deep neck infection (DNI) is challenging for anesthesiologists due to the distorted airway anatomy, limited mouth opening, tissue edema, and immobility. It is critical to assess the risk of a potential difficult airway and prepare the most appropriate airway management method.We reviewed our anesthetic experiences managing patients with DNIs, focusing on the need for video-laryngoscope or awake fiberoptic intubation beyond a standard intubation from the anesthesiologist's perspective.When patients had infections in the masticatory space, mouth of floor, oropharyngeal mucosal space, or laryngopharynx, their airways tended to be managed using methods requiring more effort by the anesthesiologists, and more extensive equipment preparation, compared with use of a standard laryngoscope. The degree to which the main lesion influenced the airway anatomy, especially at the level of epiglottis and aryepiglottic fold was related to the airway management method selected.When managing the airways of patients undergoing surgery for DNIs under general anesthesia, anesthesiologists should use imaging with computed tomography to evaluate the preoperative airway status and a comprehensive understanding of radiological findings, comorbidities, and patients’ symptoms is needed.
Predictors of kidney biopsy complication among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Kidney biopsy is essential for the diagnosis and management of lupus nephritis. The risk of bleeding complication, however, is not defined in the systemic lupus erythematosus population. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine predictors of major and minor complications among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus undergoing percutaneous ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy. Major complications included bleeding necessitating intervention, hypotension requiring vasopressors or higher level of care or death. Minor complications included moderate or large (≥ 4 cm in largest diameter) perinephric hematoma, gross hematuria or voiding difficulties. All patients were observed for at least 23 h post-procedure. The overall incidence of bleeding was 10.5% (2.7% major, 7.8% minor). Adjusted logistic regression showed that for every 10,000 cells/mm3 decrease in platelet count, risk for major and any complication increased by 27% (odds ratio 1.27; 95% confidence intervals 1.06–1.51; p = 0.01) and 8% (odds ratio 1.08; 95% confidence intervals 1.02–1.15; p = 0.01), respectively. Patients with a platelet count <150,000 cells/mm3 were 30 times more likely to experience a major complication (p = 0.002). Other candidate predictors, including steroid exposure, kidney function, hematocrit and histopathology, were not significant. Kidney biopsies are well tolerated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, patients with pre-biopsy platelet counts <150,000 cells/mm3 are at markedly increased risk for a major bleeding complication.
STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR CIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE CRACKS IN PIPES

Stress intensity factors for circumferential surface cracks in pipes have been derived using the finite element method. Both cracks located at the in- and outside of the pipes have been analysed. The derived solutions cover a wide range of geometry and load configurations and are presented in a tabular form that defines influence functions for the stress intensity factor along the whole crack front. The solutions show good agreements in comparisons to other published solutions.