Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experiment and Numerical Modeling of High-Power Passively Q-Switched Ytterbium-Doped Double-Clad Fiber Lasers

Two high-power and high-repetition-rate passively Q-switched Yb-doped double-clad fiber lasers have been demonstrated with small (5.4 ¿m) and medium (10 ¿m) core diameters using Cr4+ :YAG as an external saturable absorber. At a pump power of 13.8 W, 7.8 W single-mode outputs have been obtained with a pulse repetition rate of 120 kHz, pulse energy of 65 ¿J , and pulse duration of 116 ns. A theoretical model is developed to predict the laser spectrum and numerically simulate the output characteristics versus pump power. The focused beam in Cr4+:YAG is assumed to have a Gaussian profile and is analyzed using traveling wave rate equations. The effect of amplified spontaneous emission is also investigated in the simulation, which shows reasonable agreement with experimental observations.
Impact of HK / MG stacks and future device scaling on RTN

This work demonstrates the close relationship between device scaling and the threshold voltage variation (ΔVth) of random telegraph noise (RTN) in high-κ and metal gate (HK / MG) stacks. Statistical analysis clarifies that high temperature forming gas annealing can suppress the RTN ΔVth. And properly annealed HK FETs have smaller RTN ΔVth than SiON FETs, due mostly to fewer traps and partly to thinner inversion thickness in HK / MG stacks. Consequently, the influence of RTN on HK / MG gate stacks is less than that of random dopant fluctuation in the 22 nm generation. However, RTN may pose a difficult challenge for the 15 nm generation. In addition to the scaling dependence, we also find that characterizing hysteretic RTN behaviors due to RTN dependence on bias is essential to determine whether the observed RTN has an impact on SRAM operation or not.
Change detection without difference image computation based on multiobjective cost function optimization

In this paper, we propose a novel method for unsupervised change detection in multi-temporal satellite images by using multiobjective cost function optimization via genetic algorithm (GA). The spatial image grid of the input multi-temporal satellite images is divided into two distinct regions, representing ``changed'' and ``unchanged'' regions between input images, via the intermediate change detection mask produced by the GA. The dissimilarity of pixels of ``changed'' regions and similarity of pixels of ``unchanged'' regions between input multi-temporal images are measured using image quality metrics which consider correlation, spectral distortion, radiometric distortion, and contrast distortion. The contextual information of each pixel in intermediate change detection mask is considered by employing binary information around its 3 \times 3 neighborhood. A multiobjective cost function for the intermediate change detection mask is obtained by considering contextual information, similarity and dissimilarity measures. The final change detection mask is achieved through minimization of the multiobjective cost function via different realizations of intermediate change detection masks produced by the GA. The proposed method does not need to compute difference image from multi-temporal satellite images, thus can be used as a general purpose change detection method for both synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical images. Change detection results and comparisons with the state-of-the-art techniques are shown on multi-temporal georeferenced SAR images acquired by ESA ERS-2 on the city of San Francisco, California, and optical images acquired by Landsat 5 TM on part of Alaska.
Environmental Economy and Policy Research Discussion Paper Series Determinants of Technical Efficiency in Agriculture and Cattle Ranching : A Spatial Analysis for the Brazilian Amazon by Danilo Camargo Igliori 2005

The determinants of technical efficiency in agriculture and cattle ranching are closely related with the debate involving the conservation-development trade-off in the Brazilian Amazon. Concerned with balancing development and environmental conservation, policy makers and academics have emphasized the importance of choosing ways of selecting areas where land use restrictions would be established. In order to understand the relationship between spatial patterns of deforestation and the associated distribution and characteristics of economic activity, issues regarding technical efficiency are clearly important. This paper aims to identify the socio-economic and environmental determinants of technical efficiency in agriculture and cattle ranching in the Brazilian Amazon emphasizing their relationship with spatial processes of deforestation and development. The study is structured in two parts. The first part is concerned with measuring technical efficiency for agriculture and cattle ranching in each geographical unit focusing on the production relationship between inputs and outputs. The second one focuses on the variation in the efficiency measure explained by exogenous factors and includes the spatial analysis. We adopt the model proposed by Battese and Coelli (1995) where the production function and the exogenous effects influencing technical efficiency are estimated simultaneously.
Best Management Practice Effects for Phosphorus Control on a Dairy Farm: The Cannonsville Reservoir Watershed, New York

Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been implemented on a farm-by-farm basis within the Cannonsville Reservoir Watershed (CRW), as part of a New York City watershed-wide BMP implementation effort to reduce phosphorus (P) losses to the water supply reservoirs. Monitoring studies have been carried out at selected locations and at the watershed outlet on one of the farms which spans an entire sub-watershed within the CRW, with the aim of quantifying effectiveness of the BMPs installed on the farm. This study applied the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and a recently developed BMP characterization tool to the farm over pre- and post- BMP installation periods with a view to determining the extent to which model results incorporating all installed BMPs match observed data, and the individual impact of each of the BMPs installed on the farm. The SWAT model generally performed well at the watershed level, with annual Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients ranging between 0.56 and 0.80 and monthly coefficients ranging between 0.45 and 0.78. The model also performed well at the field level, with simulated in-field P losses closely matching observed data. Because BMPs were included in the model as part of the input data, it was difficult to separate out individual BMP impacts based on SWAT simulations. It was, however, possible to determine the effects of BMP combinations such as nutrient management plans and rotations (31% dissolved P; 25% total P). For dissolved P, integration of BMP tool efficiencies allowed individual BMP impacts to be incorporated while still maintaining the same level of representation as was obtained using model simulations. As the SWAT model is often used with little or no post-BMP data to verify simulation results, this study served to validate SWAT model suitability for evaluating BMP impacts. The BMP tool was found to suitably complement the model by providing insights into individual BMP impacts, and providing BMP efficiency data where the model was lacking.
Mirrored parallel Hammerstein predistortion for multitone generation

The paper discusses the approach tested for digital pre-distortion of radio frequency vector signal generators, where joint mitigation of impairments is considered stemming from the inphase/quadrature modulator, local oscillator, and power amplifier. A predistorter structure, linear in its parameters, was taken and the parameters were estimated by the least-squares method. The proposed method is validated by demonstrating improvement in the performance of the Rohde & Schwarz SMU200 by about 8 dB reduction in mirror-frequency interference, 17 dB reduction in leakage from the local oscillator, and 6 dB improvement in inter-modulation products. Thus, the tested approach is considered useful for several instrumentation and measurement applications.
Investigation of Consensually Nonmonogamous Relationships

We proposed that the premise that monogamy is the exemplary form of romantic partnership underlies much theory and research on relationship quality, and we addressed how this bias has prompted methodological issues that make it difficult to effectively address the quality of nonmonogamous relationships. Because the idea that consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships are functional (i.e., satisfying and of high quality) is controversial, we included a basic study to assess, in a variety of ways, the quality of these relationships. In that study, we found few differences in relationship functioning between individuals engaged in monogamy and those in CNM relationships. We then considered how existing theories could help researchers to understand CNM relationships and how CNM relationships could shed light on relationship processes, and we proposed a model of how CNM and monogamous relationships differ. Finally, in a second study, we determined that even researchers who present data about CNM are affected by the stigma surrounding such relationships. That is, researchers presenting findings favoring polyamory were perceived as more biased than researchers presenting findings favoring monogamy.
The Role of Nutrition in Active and Healthy Ageing: For prevention and treatment of age-related diseases: evidence so far

Europe is facing an ageing population. Life expectancy is at its highest and many European populations are experiencing major demographic changes and transition towards a much older population structure. However, despite living longer, many people suffer ill-health or disability in the last 15 to 20 years of life. To encourage active and healthy ageing and to help increase healthy life expectancy, the European Commission has launched the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (the Partnership), which aims to add an average of two healthy life years in Europe by 2020. This report aims to support the Partnership and to review the contribution of diet and nutrition in increasing healthy life years and promoting active and healthy ageing (AHA). The report gives a description of the main determinants of AHA including economic, social and behavioural factors and how they may relate to diet. It focusses on the issue of undernutrition in older people–both a cause and consequence of functional decline. Given the importance of undernutrition and that micronutrient deficiency is a common problem in older adults, this report summarises the evidence regarding micronutrient supplementations in the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases and conditions. At this stage, the current evidence seems insufficient to support the use of vitamin and mineral supplementation to prevent or treat specific cognitive or functional impairments in older people, although it does not imply that supplements are not effective. As it stands, another approach to ensure proper nutrition in older people is to maximise their intake of essential vitamins and minerals from natural food sources. Indeed, evidence so far on the Mediterranean Diet supports this whole diet approach to promote health, increase longevity and reduce the risks of various age-related diseases in observational studies. A number of research gaps are also highlighted in this report. Above all, there is a need to provide better guidance on diet and nutrition for older people and a set of age-specific, up-to-date dietary recommendations is essential to achieve this.
Effects of DGAT1 variants on milk production traits in Jersey cattle

The aim of the study was to analyse the K232A polymorphism in the acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene (DGAT1) and to estimate the effects of lysine (K) and alanine (A) encoding variants on milk yield and composition in cattle. A total of 100 Jersey cows was tested for DGAT1 genotypes using the PCR-RFLP technique. The K and A allele frequencies were 0.83 and 0.17, respectively. Effect of the K232A polymorphism on most considered traits was observed. The lysine encoding variant was associated with the high milk fat yield as well as fat and protein contents, whereas the alanine allele was related to the increased milk yield. The most significant result was obtained for the fat content of milk. None of the dominance effects proved to be significantly different fr om zero, that indicates the additive effect of the gene.
The preclinical discovery of lofexidine for the treatment of opiate addiction

Introduction: Lofexidine is one therapeutic option used for treating the onslaught of sympathetic outflow that typically commences upon induction of opiate withdrawal. It was approved for opiate detoxification in the UK, most of EU, and a select few countries worldwide during the 1980s and the 90s. Within the US and Canada, however, it remains an experimental drug. Areas covered: The following article highlights lacunae in extant knowledge about the molecular pharmacology of lofexidine. Furthermore, the article provides a brief discussion on the nature and shortcomings of clinical trials for this drug that have been conducted over the past 30 years across the world. It also provides a discussion of the market factors and regulatory considerations responsible for the rather limited use of lofexidine thus far. Expert opinion: Many lessons can be learned from the 40-year-long development of lofexidine. Indeed, unless there is an urgent need to address an unmet and/or immediate health threat, preclinical development is dictated by pharmacoeconomic considerations. Lofexidine would likely have been excluded for further development in this day and age given the existence and value of clonidine as well as the lack of insurance coverage for opiate addiction. It should be noted, however, that although there have been many oversights in the past, current experimentation and clinical trials are beginning to address the mistakes made through the exploration of single enantiomers and controlled-release preparations.
Hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea in Caucasian children.

AIM To evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and/or left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in children with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS A cross-sectional case series of consecutive, otherwise healthy children aged > 4 years, with polysomnography-proven OSA [apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > 1.5/h] is described. Echocardiography was performed on all subjects and left ventricular mass was calculated. Study subjects underwent additional investigation with 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. RESULTS Thirty children (21 males) were studied. Mean age was 8.9 years. Mean body mass index was 19.87 kg/cm(2). Mean AHI was 14.3/h. 10/30 (33%) of the study population met criteria for pre-hypertension (n = 3) or masked hypertension (n = 7) based on standard ambulatory monitoring criteria. All 10 children had systolic hypertension throughout the night with 5 of these also having elevated daytime systolic readings. There was a relationship between AHI and BP showing an increase of 1.162 percentile units in mean diastolic night BP (age, gender and height specific) per unit increase in AHI (P = 0.018). There were no subjects with LVH and/or right ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION In our population of otherwise healthy Caucasian children, there was a high prevalence of hypertension that would not have been identified using standard office/clinic protocols.
[What are the clinical results of operated fractures of the talus?].

UNLABELLED Our study focuses to determine the medium range results of function and radiological findings of operatively treated fractures of the talus. Furthermore we had the intention to investigate risk-factors for posttraumatic arthrosis and necrosis of the talus. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included all 41 patients (w/m: 13/28) operated between 1995-2000 with talus neck, corpus or dislocated fracture of the talus edge (open/closed: 11/30). Fractures were classified according to Hawkins: type 1: 6 x, type II: 17 x, type III: 7 x, type IV: 3 x, 8 x dislocated peripheral fractures. 39 x screw osteosynthesis, 2 x K-wire fixation were done and 12 additive transfixation with fixateur externe. Score: AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot-Scale, radiological assessment according to the Bargon score. 34 patients, mean age 35 years (12-60), were followed up clinically with an average of 4 years (24-72 months). RESULTS AOFAS Score: pain (40 points): diameter 31 [10-40]; function (50 points): diameter 39 [14-50]; alignement (10 points):diameter 7 [0-10]; degree of arthritis due to the Bargon scale: 0 degree: 5x,1 degree: 8x, 2 degrees: 7 x, 3 degrees: 7 x. COMPLICATIONS 4 x necrosis of margin of the wound, 1 deep infection, 5 necrosis of the talus bone. The severity of the fracture was 1 x type II according to Hawkins 3 x type III and 1 x type IV. 3 of the 5 patients who developed a talus necrosis had 28 or 38 soft tissue damage. One patient had an imminent compartment syndrome. One patient who suffered a polytrauma was operated six days post injury. Second operation: 1 Syme amputation due to necrosis of the talus subsequent to an infection. 4 x arthrodesis of the upper ankle joint and 5 x arthrodesis of the subtalar joint due to posttraumatic arthritis. CONCLUSION Primary screw osteosynthesis is the treatment of choice depending on the lesions of the soft-tissue and accompanied injuries in combination with a fixateur externe. Nevertheless the primary osteosynthesis is not able to prevent necrosis of the talus completely, that occurs in a frequency of 15%. Risk factors for a posttraumatic arthritis in addition to the type of fracture and the result of reconstruction are an accompanied soft tissue defect and local capsule-band complex with necessary temporary transfixation. Early plastic reconstruction of defects can reduce the time of immobilisation and allows motion therapy. The functional results are positive compared with the radiological results that showed arthritis in 70%.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus

The global severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak was the first pandemic of the 21st century. Although the outbreak was successfully controlled, evidence that SARS emerged from an animal reservoir has raised concerns that another pandemic could occur. This review discusses the likelihood of another SARS pandemic and reviews the epidemiological and clinical features of the disease with an emphasis on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of SARS.
Inhibitory Role of the Somatostatin Receptor SST2 on the Intracrine-regulated Cell Proliferation Induced by the 210-Amino Acid Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Isoform

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 isoform of 210 amino acids (HMW FGF-2) contains a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and is targeted to the nucleus. This FGF-2 isoform allows cells to grow in low serum concentrations through still unknown mechanisms called intracrine regulations. Different peptide hormones and cytokines have been found to be nuclearized through NLS and to induce cell proliferation. The existence of molecules acting as negative regulators of the intracrine-induced cell growth has not been explored. Pancreatic cells AR4-2J were stably transfected to express selectively the HMW FGF-2. We demonstrated that activation of the somatostatin receptor subtype SST2 by the somatostatin analogue RC-160 in serum-deprived medium inhibits the mitogenic effect of the HMW FGF-2, without affecting growth of control cells. The signaling pathway implicates Gαi/JAK2/SHP-1. The Gαi inhibitor pertussis toxin and the JAK2 inhibitor AG490 abrogate the inhibitory effect of RC-160 on HMW FGF-2-induced cell growth. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate the constitutive association of JAK2 and SHP-1, and RC-160 induces a rapid activation of both proteins followed by the dissociation of the complex. AG490 prevents the RC-160 induced SHP-1 activation indicating the implication of JAK2 in this process. JAK2 and SHP-1 are immunoprecipitated with SST2 in basal conditions indicating the existence of a functional signaling complex at the receptor level. In summary, these data provide the following evidence: 1) the intracrine-induced proliferation can be reversed by extracellular acting polypeptides; 2) SST2 inhibitory signaling may involve the JAK2/SHP-1 pathway.
Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. root extract

An attempt has been made to search for xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors from the root extracts of Tephrosia purpurea Linn . which is traditionally used in folk medicine in India. Root extracts were screened for in vitro antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Antioxidant activity was measured using ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and ORAC methods. The enzyme inhibitory activity was tested on purified milk xanthine oxidase. The root extracts and phytochemicals, obtained in distilled water, inhibited bovine milk XO in a concentration-dependent manner, with an additional superoxide scavenging capacity, the average antioxidant activity of T. purpurea root extract in the concentration range of 100-200 µg/mL. The reacting system revealed significant antioxidant activity, viz. 42.2 (ABTS), 28.7 (DPPH), 36.5 (FRAP) and 25.6 per cent by ORAC assay. Screening of xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity by extract in terms of kinetic parameters revealed noncompetitive mode of inhibition, where the K m and V max values in presence of (25 to 100 µg/mL) T. purpurea root extract is 0.18 µg and 0.040,0.037,0.034 and 0.030 (µg/min) while for control K m and V max is 0.21 µg and 0.043 (µg/min), respectively. The phytochemical analysis revealed presence of significant amount of polyphenols and flavonoids (90% and 80%, respectively). These findings suggest that T. purpurea root extract possess prominent medicinal properties and can be exploited as natural drug to treat the diseases associated with free radical formation, oxidative stress and xanthine oxidase activity.
Design of Efficient Error-Correcting Balanced Codes

New constructions of t-error correcting balanced codes, for 1>or=t>or=4, are presented. In a balanced code, all the words have an equal number of 1's and 0's. In many cases, the information rates of the new codes are better than the existing codes given in the literature. The proposed codes also have efficient encoding and decoding algorithms.
Moisture content measurements through TDR: A metrological assessment for industrial applications

In this paper a metrological assessment on the accuracy provided by a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)based method for the estimation of moisture content of granular materials is proposed. In particular, comparative moisture content measurements are carried out through two different TDR instruments: an inexpensive portable unit and a high-performance unit. The main goals are first to assess a robust procedure for TDR moisture monitoring (in particular for sand-like materials), and second to provide a deep metrological analysis for minimizing and characterizing error contributions. This feature is particularly important when considering the proposed measurement procedures for industrial applications, where both accuracy and low cost must be guaranteed. Keywordstime domain reflectometry, moisture measurements, metrological characterization, quality control.