Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surrounding Strain Effects on the Performance of Si Nanowires Grown in Different Axial Orientations

In this paper, we calculate the surrounding strain effects owing to gate dielectric on the device performance of Si nanowires (NWs) with different axial orientations. Surrounding strain effects from valence band structure to hole transport property of NW FETs are developed. The simulated results show that surrounding strain pushes the valence subbands upward. The upshifting trend of the valence subband maximum is (1 1 0) NW >; (0 0 1) NW >; (1 1 1) NW. The shift coincides with the εzz variation, which contributes the most to modulate the valence subbands. Compared to pure Si NWs, surrounding strain owing to HfO2 dielectric enhances the effective hole mobility. Effective hole mobility enhancement in HfO2 surrounding Si NW is (0 0 1) NW >; (1 1 1) NW >; (1 1 0) NW. However, Si(1 1 0) NW still has the largest effective hole mobility among three axial orientations.
Nephritis Associated with Infectious Bronchitis Virus Cal99 Variant in Game Chickens

SUMMARY. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) Cal99 variant was isolated from the kidneys of seven 2–5-mo-old game chickens with nephritis and respiratory disease. IBV Cal99 variant is usually associated with respiratory disease in broiler chickens in California. Macroscopically, the majority of the birds had moderately to severely enlarged and mottled pale kidneys, with increased urates in the ureters. Microscopically, most of the birds had acute nephrosis and interstitial nephritis. The birds also had sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia, airsacculitis, salivary gland adenitis, and lymphoid depletion in the thymus and bursa of Fabricius. Immunohistochemistry was strongly positive for IBV antigen in the cytoplasm of tubular epithelial cells in the kidneys and also in the epithelium of the respiratory tract, salivary glands, proventriculus, intestine, and bursa of Fabricius. Infectious bronchitis virus was isolated from the trachea, lungs, kidneys, and cecal tonsils. Sequencing of the hypervariable region of the S1 gene of the kidney IBV isolate, designated IBV/CA99variant/07, revealed that the virus was 98% homologous to the Cal99 serotype of IBV.
Capacity analysis of maximal flow in ad hoc networks

Capacity Analysis of network coding is a fundamental problem in communication networks. In this paper, we investigate this problem by generalizing the conventional random graph model as G(n, P,C), where the connecting probability between each pair of nodes p obeys an independent and identical distribution and all the links each have an independent and identical transmission capacity distribution. A tight upper bound of the average value of the maximal flow will be derived based on the proposed random graph model. Moreover, the averaged value and the variance of the maximal flow shall be investigated by some simulations, which demonstrate the effectiveness of our theoretical analysis.
Immunotherapy for HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The onset of the AIDS epidemic in 1981 was followed by descriptions of many opportunistic infections as well as several unusual cancers. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was classified as an AIDS-defining illness within 4 years, and is up to 200 times more common in HIV-positive patients. Immunotherapy for cancer has a surprisingly long heritage, but it is only recently that this approach has become established in oncology practice. Here, against a background of the history of immunotherapy, we review clinicopathological features of HIV-associated NHL and discuss current cancer immunotherapeutic treatments including immune reconstitution using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, radioimmunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, cytokine therapy and vaccination. As the prognosis for HIV-associated NHL nears that of the general population, these approaches are of increasing importance and value.
In vivo loading model to examine bone adaptation in humans: A pilot study

Bone is typically well suited for its habitual loading environment because of its ability to adapt. Although characteristics of the mechanical loading environment predict the bone adaptive response in animals, this has not been prospectively validated in humans. Here, we describe an in vivo loading model in which women apply forces to the radius by leaning onto their hand. We characterized the strain environment imposed on the radius using cadaveric experimentation and conducted a prospective study in which 19 adult women loaded their distal radii 50 cycles/day, 3 days/week, for 28 weeks and seven additional adult women served as controls. In four cadaveric specimens, loading caused compressive principal strains of −1,695 ± 396 μϵ with radial bending dorsally and towards the ulna. Prospective in vivo loading produced measurable improvements to bone and appeared to protect against bone loss associated with seasonal fluctuations in physical activity and sun exposure. Experimental subjects had significant gains to bone volume (BV) and moments of inertia, while, control subjects had significant losses in BMC and moments of inertia. The loading model is thus suitable as a model system for exploring bone adaptation in humans, and may eventually be clinically useful for strengthening the radius of women. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1406–1413, 2013.
The Dual Role of Calcium as Messenger and Stressor in Cell Damage, Death, and Survival

Ca2+ is an important second messenger participating in many cellular activities; when physicochemical insults deregulate its delicate homeostasis, it acts as an intrinsic stressor, producing/increasing cell damage. Damage elicits both repair and death responses; intriguingly, in those responses Ca2+ also participates as second messenger. This delineates a dual role for Ca2+ in cell stress, making difficult to separate the different and multiple mechanisms required for Ca2+-mediated control of cell survival and apoptosis. Here we attempt to disentangle the two scenarios, examining on the one side, the events implicated in deregulated Ca2+ toxicity and the mechanisms through which this elicits reparative or death pathways; on the other, reviewing the role of Ca2+ as a messenger in the transduction of these same signaling events.
Fundamental problems in comparative phonetics and phonology. Does UPSID help to solve them

The approach to phonological comparison adopted in UPSID as well as other studies fails to recognize the abstract nature of even the most phonetically based definition of a phonemic system. Phonemes receive a simple phonetic translation based on one allophone. Phonological comparison is therefore carried out using no more than arbitrary selections of the phonetics of the languages involved. Phonemic systems belonging to the phonological level of comparison are being compared in phonetic terms, misrepresenting the abstract relational nature of a phonological system and at the same time grossly oversimplifying the complex phonetic patterns employed in languages to bring about differences in meaning. While the appeal of many aspects of UPSID is recognized, the need for a more complex demarcation of three levels of phonetic and phonological comparison requiring different types and quantities of information is argued.
On universal and fault-tolerant quantum computing: a novel basis and a new constructive proof of universality for Shor's basis

A novel universal and fault-tolerant basis (set of gates) for quantum computation is described. Such a set is necessary to perform quantum computation in a realistic noisy environment. The new basis consists of two single-qubit gates (Hadamard and /spl sigma//sub z//sup 1/4 /) and one double-qubit gate (Controlled-NOT). Since the set consisting of Controlled-NOT and Hadamard gates is not universal, the new basis achieves universality by including only one additional elementary (in the sense that it does not include angles that are irrational multiples of /spl pi/) single-qubit gate, and hence, is potentially the simplest universal basis that one can construct. We also provide an alternative proof of universality for the only other known class of universal and fault-tolerant basis proposed by P.W. Shor (1996) and A.Y. Kitaev (1997).
Joint Subchannel and Power Allocation for NOMA Enhanced D2D Communications

In this paper, a novel non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) enhanced device-to-device (D2D) communication scheme is considered. Our objective is to maximize the system sum rate by optimizing subchannel and power allocation. We propose a novel solution that jointly assigns subchannels to D2D groups and allocates power to receivers in each D2D group. For the subchannel assignment, a novel algorithm based on the many-to-one two-sided matching theory is proposed for obtaining a suboptimal solution. Since the power allocation problem is non-convex, sequential convex programming is adopted to transform the original power allocation problem to a convex one. The power allocation vector is obtained by iteratively tightening the lower bound of the original power allocation problem until convergence. Numerical results illustrate that: 1) the proposed joint subchannel and power allocation algorithm are an effective approach for obtaining near-optimal performance with acceptable complexity and 2) the NOMA enhanced D2D communication scheme is capable of achieving promising gains in terms of network sum rate and the number of accessed users, compared to a traditional OMA-based D2D communication scheme.
Monophyly or Paraphyly– The Taxonomy of Holcoglossum (Aeridinae: Orchidaceae)

Recently, there have been a lot of intense debates about the acceptance/rejection of paraphyletic groups in biological classification. On the one hand, evolutionary classification states that similarity and common descent are two criteria for biological classification and paraphyletic groups are natural units of biological classification. On the other hand, cladistic classification considers that common descent is the only criterion in biological classification and monophyly should be strictly adhered to. Holcoglossum is used herein as a case to illustrate this problem. Although Holcoglossum is a small orchid genus of less than 20 species, there is little consensus about its generic circumscription since it was established, which leads to confusion in taxonomic treatments in the Aerides-Vanda group. Based on the analyses of molecular and morphological evidence, our results suggest that the clade comprising Holcoglossum s.s. , Ascolabium, Penkimia and Ascocentrum himalaicum is strongly supported as a monophyly, and that the three taxa are nested within different subclades of Holcoglossum s.s. Thus, it is reasonable to recognize a monophyletic circumscription of Holcoglossum, which is also well supported by some vegetative and floral characters. The Holcoglossum s.l. would facilitate a better understanding of pollinator-driven floral divergence and vegetative stasis than a paraphyletic and narrowly defined genus.
Evaluation of reparative dentin formation of ProRoot MTA, Biodentine and BioAggregate using micro-CT and immunohistochemistry

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of two new calcium silicate-based pulp-capping materials (Biodentine and BioAggregate) to induce healing in a rat pulp injury model and to compare them with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Materials and Methods Eighteen rats were anesthetized, cavities were prepared and the pulp was capped with either of ProRoot MTA, Biodentine, or BioAggregate. The specimens were scanned using a high-resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system and were prepared and evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically using dentin sialoprotein (DSP). Results On micro-CT analysis, the ProRoot MTA and Biodentine groups showed significantly thicker hard tissue formation (p < 0.05). On H&E staining, ProRoot MTA showed complete dentin bridge formation with normal pulpal histology. In the Biodentine and BioAggregate groups, a thick, homogeneous hard tissue barrier was observed. The ProRoot MTA specimens showed strong immunopositive reaction for DSP. Conclusions Our results suggest that calcium silicate-based pulp-capping materials induce favorable effects on reparative processes during vital pulp therapy and that both Biodentine and BioAggregate could be considered as alternatives to ProRoot MTA.
English-learning Infants' Segmentation of Verbs from Fluent Speech

Two experiments sought to extend the demonstration of English-learning infants' abilities to segment nouns from fluent speech to a new lexical class: verbs. Moreover, we explored whether two factors previously shown to influence noun segmentation, stress pattern (strong-weak or weak-strong) and type of initial phoneme (consonant or vowel), also influence verb segmentation. Our results establish the early emergence of verb segmentation in English: by 13.5 months for strong-weak consonant- or vowel-initial verbs and for weak-strong consonant-initial verbs; and by 16.5 months for weak-strong verbs beginning with a vowel. This generalizes previous reports of early segmentation to a new lexical class, thereby providing additional evidence that segmentation is likely to contribute to lexical acquisition. The effects of stress pattern and onset type found are similar to those previously obtained for nouns, in that verbs with a weak-strong stress pattern and verbs beginning with a vowel appear to be at a disadvantage in segmentation. Finally, we present prosodic analyses that suggest a possible effect of prosodic boundary and pitch accent distribution on segmentation. These prosodic differences potentially explain a developmental lag in verb segmentation observed in the present study compared to earlier findings for noun segmentation.
Efficient and Flexible Information Retrieval using MonetDB/X100

Today's large-scale IR systems are not implemented using general-purpose database systems, as the latter tend to be significantly less efficient than custom-built IR engines. This paper demonstrates how recent developments in hardwareconscious database architecture may however satisfy IR needs. The advantage is flexibility of experimentation, as implementing a retrieval system on top of a DBMS boils down to relational query formulation, rather than system programming. We demonstrate in the context of the TeraByte TREC efficiency task that our experimental MonetDB/X100 database system provides highly competitive results both regarding precision and speed. We analyze the two innovations in MonetDB/X100 that most contributed to this successful application of DB technology in IR, namely vectorized incache processing and the use of two new light-weight compression schemes that work between the RAM and CPU cache memory levels.
Widely tunable four-wave mixing in semiconductor optical amplifiers with constant conversion efficiency

The conversion efficiency and output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of single-pump four-wave mixing (FWM) in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) is strongly dependent on frequency shift. We examine a scheme for FWM in SOAs that uses two orthogonally polarized pumps. We compare experimentally and theoretically the conversion efficiency and SNR of the orthogonal-pump scheme with single-pump FWM. The orthogonal-pump scheme has nearly constant conversion efficiency and SNR over the 4.5-THz range of frequency shifts measured. Experimental and theoretical results for the conversion efficiency and SNR of the orthogonal-pump scheme agree to within 3.5 dB.
CD40-Induced Signaling in Human Endothelial Cells Results in mTORC2- and Akt-Dependent Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor In Vitro and In Vivo1

We have examined CD40-dependent signals in endothelial cells (EC) mediating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-induced angiogenesis. We treated confluent cultures of EC with soluble CD40L (sCD40L), and by Western blot found a marked increase in the phosphorylation of Akt, 4EBP-1, and S6K1, compared with untreated cells. EC were transfected with a full-length VEGF promoter-luciferase construct and cultured in the absence or presence of rapamycin and sCD40L. We found that rapamycin, which blocks mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling, inhibited sCD40L-mediated transactivation of VEGF. In addition, by Western blot, we found that the transfection of EC with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to rictor (to inhibit mTORC2), and not raptor (to inhibit mTORC1), inhibited sCD40L-dependent protein expression of VEGF. In additions, we found that basal levels of phosphorylated Akt as well as VEGF were increased in EC transfected with the raptor siRNA. Also, rapamycin failed to inhibit VEGF promoter activation, as well as VEGF protein expression in EC transfected with a constitutively active construct of Akt, further demonstrating that mTORC1 is not necessary for CD40- and Akt-induced expression of VEGF. Finally, we injected human CD40L-transfected fibroblasts or mock transfectants into human skin on SCID mice. We found that the injection of CD40L transfectants, but not mock cells, resulted in VEGF expression and mediated a marked angiogenesis reaction, and this response was reduced in mice treated with rapamycin. Together, these observations indicate that mTORC2 and Akt facilitate CD40-inducible expression of VEGF in EC, which is of clinical importance in tumor growth and the progression of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Review of the Global Solar UV Index 2015 Workshop Report

Abstract The Global Solar UV Index was developed as an easy-to-understand measure of the amount of biologically-effective ambient solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) at different locations on the earth’s surface. Over the past few years, questions have been raised about the global applicability of the UV Index, about the evidence base for exposure risk thresholds and related protective measures, and about whether the overall impact of the UV Index could be improved with modifications. An international workshop was organized by several organizations, including the World Health Organization, to assess if current evidence was sufficiently strong to modify the UV Index and to discuss different ways it might be improved in order to influence sun-protective behavior. While some animal research suggests there may be no threshold effect, the relative importance of sub-erythemal doses of sunlight in causing skin cancer in humans remains unknown. Evidence suggests that regular use of sunscreen can prevent skin cancer and that sunglasses are an effective method of protecting the eyes from solar UVR. The UV Index as a risk communication tool continues to be useful for raising awareness and to support sun-protection behavior. Although there was agreement that guidance on the use of the UV Index could be improved, the workshop participants identified that strong health outcome-based human evidence would be needed as the basis for a revision. For the UV Index to be relevant in as many countries as possible, it should continue to be adapted to suit local conditions.
Novel delivery system for natural products: Nano-curcumin formulations

Objective: Curcumin is extracted from Curcuma longa and regulates the intracellular signal pathways which control the growth of cancerous cell, inflammation, invasion and apoptosis. Curcumin molecules have special intrinsic features that can target the intracellular enzymes, genome (DNA) and messengers (RNA). A wide range of studies have been conducted on the physicochemical traits and pharmacological effects of curcumin on different diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even it has wound healing. Oral bioavailability of curcumin is rather poor, which would certainly put some boundaries in the employment of this drug. Materials and Methods: Bibliographical searches were performed using MEDLINE/ScienceDirect/OVID up to February 2015 using the following keywords (all fields): (“Curcumin” OR “Curcuma longa”) AND [(nanoparticles) OR (Nanomicelles) OR (micro emulsions) OR (liposome) OR (phospholipid). Results: Consequently, for any developments of curcumin in the future, analogues of curcumin that have better bioavailability or substitute formulations are needed crucially. Conclusion: These studies indicated that nanotechnology can formulate curcumin effectively, and this nano-formulated curcumin with a potent ability against various cancer cells, were represented to have better efficacy and bioavailability under in vivo conditions.
Ethanol inhibits excitatory neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens of adolescent mice through GABAA and GABAB receptors

Age‐related differences in various acute physiological and behavioral effects of alcohol have been demonstrated in humans and in other species. Adolescents are more sensitive to positive reinforcing properties of alcohol than adults, but the cellular mechanisms that underlie such a difference are not clearly established. We, therefore, assessed age differences in the ability of ethanol to modulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the mouse nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region importantly involved in reward mechanisms. We measured field excitatory postsynaptic potentials/population spikes (fEPSP/PS) in NAc slices from adolescent (22–30 days old) and adult (5–8 months old) male mice. We found that 50 mM ethanol applied in the perfusion solution inhibits glutamatergic neurotransmission in the NAc of adolescent, but not adult, mice. This effect is blocked by the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor antagonist bicuculline and by the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 55845. Furthermore, bicuculline applied alone produces a stronger increase in the fEPSP/PS amplitude in adult mice than in adolescent mice. Activation of GABAA receptors with muscimol produces a stronger and longer lasting depression of neurotransmission in adolescent mice as compared with adult mice. Activation of GABAB receptors with SKF 97541 also depresses neurotransmission more strongly in adolescent than in adult mice. These results demonstrate that an increased GABA receptor function associated with a reduced inhibitory tone underlies the depressant action of ethanol on glutamatergic neurotransmission in the NAc of adolescent mice.
Energy balance and cancer: the role of sex hormones

Energy balance can affect the risk for hormone-related cancers by altering sex hormone levels. Energy intake and expenditure are difficult to measure in epidemiological studies, but a chronic excess of intake relative to expenditure leads to a high BMI, which can be accurately measured. In premenopausal women obesity has little effect on the serum concentration of oestradiol, but causes an increase in the frequency of anovular menstrual cycles and thus a reduction in progesterone levels; these changes lead to a large increase in the risk for endometrial cancer, but little change, or a small decrease, in the risk for breast cancer. In post-menopausal women oestradiol levels are not regulated by negative feedback, and obesity causes an increase in the serum concentration of bioavailable oestradiol; this factor causes increases in the risk for both endometrial cancer and breast cancer. The development of ovarian cancer appears to be related more strongly to the frequency of ovulation than to direct effects of circulating levels of sex hormones, and BMI is not clearly associated with the risk for ovarian cancer. In men, increasing BMI has little effect on bioavailable androgen levels, and any effect of obesity on prostate cancer risk is small.