Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
All-Optical-Packet Header and Payload Separation for Unslotted Optical-Packet-Switched Networks

A novel all-optical header and payload separation technique that can be utilized in unslotted optical-packet-switched networks is proposed. The technique uses two modified terahertz optical asynchronous demultiplexers: One is for packet header extraction with differential modulation scheme, and the other performs a simple xor operation between the packet and its self-derived header to get the separated payload. The main virtue of this system is simple structure and low-power consumption. Through numerical simulations, the operating characteristics of the scheme are illustrated. In addition, the parameters of the system are discussed and designed to optimize the performance of the scheme
Morphological (Length, Depth, and Diameter) Study of Sella Turcica in Different Mandibular Growth Patterns in Indians

Aim: This study aims to analyze the morphological dimensions of sella turcica to determine if differences exist due to gender, age or in subjects with different skeletal patterns. Methods: A total of 100 (43 males and 57 females) sella turcica cephalometric radiograph was traced. Linear dimensions of sella turcica (length, depth, and diameter [in mm]) were measured and skeletal shape/type (normal, bridging, double contour, oblique, irregular, and pyramidal) was assessed. A Student’s t-test was used to calculate the mean differences in linear dimensions of sella turcica between males and females and between different age groups, skeletal types. A Chi-square test was used to test the interrelationship of gender, age and skeletal types with the shape of sella turcica. Results: In low angle group subjects, 80% of the subjects had normal sella and 20% of the subjects had variations in morphology and in high angle group subjects, 76% of the subjects had a normal sella, and 24% of the subjects had variations in the morphology. Conclusions: The shape of the sella turcica was normal in 78% of the subjects, and there was a significant difference in length between high and low angle subjects, where the length of sella was larger in the low angle subjects and the distribution of shape of sella turcica was found to be significantly different among both high and low angle types.
Sex–biased dispersal in sperm whales: contrasting mitochondrial and nuclear genetic structure of global populations

The social organization of most mammals is characterized by female philopatry and male dispersal. Such sex–biased dispersal can cause the genetic structure of populations to differ between the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the bi–parental nuclear genome. Here we report on the global genetic structure of oceanic populations of the sperm whale, one of the most widely distributed mammalian species. Groups of females and juveniles are mainly found at low latitudes, while males reach polar waters, returning to tropical and subtropical waters to breed. In comparisons between oceans, we did not find significant heterogeneity in allele frequencies of microsatellite loci (exact test; p = 0.23). Estimates of GST = 0.001 and RST = 0.005 also indicated negligible if any nuclear DNA differentiation. We have previously reported significant differentiation between oceans in mtDNA sequences. These contrasting patterns suggest that interoceanic movements have been more prevalent among males than among females, consistent with observations of females being the philopatric sex and having a more limited latitudinal distribution than males. Consequently, the typical mammalian pattern may have operated on a global scale in sperm whales.
Pharmacogenomic testing: aiding in the management of psychotropic therapy for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

Adolescents with autism have higher rates of anxiety than the general adolescent population. They often struggle to express psychological symptoms verbally where their symptoms may manifest as withdrawal and agitation. Adolescent patients with autism have higher rates of polypharmacy and high-risk psychiatric medication use (eg, atypical antipsychotics) than other patients with psychiatric illness. Primary care pediatricians are at the front lines of psychiatric management for patients with autism. Yet, they have inadequate access to pediatric psychiatry for complex medication management. Pharmacogenomic testing can provide personalized drug metabolism profiles for a majority of psychotropic medications. Primary care based pharmacogenomic testing for adolescents with autism on one or more psychiatric medications may help individualize and optimize complex medication regimens, while promoting drug safety.
Time-course changes in the expression levels of miR-122, -155, and -21 as markers of liver cell damage, inflammation, and regeneration in acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rats

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant threat to patient health and a major concern during drug development. Recently, multiple circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be potential biomarkers for DILI. To adapt and validate miRNAs for clinical use, we investigated the time-course changes in miR-122 expression levels in an acetaminophen-induced liver injury model in rats. In addition, miR-155 and miR-21 were evaluated as makers of inflammation and regeneration, respectively, to characterize liver status. Our results revealed that miR-122 is an early and sensitive biomarker of hepatocellular injury at a stage when alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin were not detectable. However, no significant differences in the expression levels of other miRNAs (miR-155 and -21) were observed between treatment and vehicle groups. Collectively, these time-course changes in the expression levels of miRNAs may be useful as markers for clinical decision-making, in the diagnosis and treatment of DILI.
Assessing nature ’ s contributions to people Recognizing culture , and diverse sources of knowledge , can improve assessments

P H O T O : D IN O D IA P H O T O / G E T T Y I M A G E S A major challenge today and into the future is to maintain or enhance beneficial contributions of nature to a good quality of life for all people. This is among the key motivations of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), a joint global effort by governments, academia, and civil society to assess and promote knowledge of Earth’s biodiversity and ecosystems and their contribution to human societies in order to inform policy formulation. One of the more recent key elements of the IPBES conceptual framework (1) is the notion of nature’s contributions to people (NCP), which builds on the ecosystem service concept popularized by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) (2). But as we detail below, NCP as defined and put into practice in IPBES differs from earlier work in several important ways. First, the NCP approach recognizes the central and pervasive role that culture plays in defining all links between people and nature. Second, use of NCP elevates, emphasizes, and operationalizes the role of indigenous and local knowledge in understanding nature’s contribution to people. The broad remit of IPBES requires it to engage a wide range of stakeholders, spanning from natural, social, humanistic, and engineering sciences to indigenous peoples and local communities in whose territories lie much of the world’s biodiversity. Being an intergovernmental body, such inclusiveness is essential not only for advancing knowledge but also for the political legitimacy of assessment findings (3).
The 2010 ESC/EACTS guidelines on myocardial revascularisation

At the European Society for Cardiology annual meeting in Stockholm at the end of August 2010, the new joint European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) guidelines on myocardial revascularisation were published online.1 These are a completely new set of guidelines which incorporate the 2006 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guidelines on the management of stable angina pectoris2 and also contain important differences reflecting advances in the clinical management of ischaemic heart disease and advocating a more formal multidisciplinary approach to intervention in such patients. In contrast to previous guidelines for interventions in coronary artery disease produced independently by the cardiology and cardiac surgery communities, the new ESC/EACTS collaborative effort recognises the need for cohesive guidelines applicable to the management of the entire spectrum of coronary artery disease. While less severe disease can be adequately treated by lifestyle changes and optimal medical therapy, more severe disease may additionally require intervention by stenting or surgery. Accordingly, the writing committee, which was co-chaired by a cardiologist and a surgeon, consisted of 25 members in total and included nine non-interventional cardiologists, eight interventional cardiologists and eight cardiac surgeons. This is in marked contrast to the previous ESC guidelines task force which included a single cardiac surgeon among its 16 members.2 It should also be noted that the guidelines were produced without any commercial sponsorship from the pharmaceutical or interventional or surgical device industry, who are all powerful players in the cardiovascular arena. After several revisions, the guidelines were approved by the external reviewers from the respective societies. The ESC guidelines are based on a ‘comprehensive review of the published evidence’3 with a ‘formal meta-analysis at the beginning of the writing phase’. 4 However, it has also to be acknowledged that, as with all guidelines, some …
Assessing Acute Effects of Trapping, Handling, and Tagging on the Behavior of Wildlife Using GPS Telemetry: A Case Study of the Common Brushtail Possum

Trapping, handling, and deployment of tracking devices (tagging) are essential aspects of many research and conservation studies of wildlife. However, often these activities place nonhuman animals under considerable physical or psychological distress, which disrupts normal patterns of behavior and may ultimately result in deleterious effects on animal welfare and the validity of research results. Thus, knowledge of how trapping, handling, and tagging alter the behavior of research animals is essential if measures to ameliorate stress-related effects are to be developed and implemented. This article describes how time-stamped location data obtained by global-positioning-system telemetry can be used to retrospectively characterize acute behavioral responses to trapping, handling, and tagging in free-ranging animals used for research. Methods are demonstrated in a case study of the common brushtail possum, a semiarboreal phalangerid marsupial native to Australia. The study discusses possible physiological causes of observed effects and offers general suggestions regarding simple means to reduce trapping-handling-and-tagging-related stress in field studies of vertebrates.
Comparison of the prognostic values of preoperative inflammation-based parameters in patients with breast cancer

Peripheral blood-derived inflammation-based markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are indicators of prognosis in various malignant tumors. The present study aimed to identify the inflammation-based parameters that are most suitable for predicting outcomes in patients with breast cancer. Two hundred ninety-six patients who underwent surgery for localized breast cancer were reviewed retrospectively. The association between clinicopathological factors and inflammation-based parameters were investigated. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent prognostic indicators associated with disease-free survival (DFS). The NLR level correlated significantly with tumor size (P<0.05). The PLR level correlated with the expression of estrogen receptor and lymph node involvement (P<0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that lower CRP and PLR values as well as tumor size, lymph node involvement, and nuclear grade were significantly associated with superior DFS (CRP: P<0.01; PLR, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and nuclear grade: P<0.05). On multivariate analysis, CRP (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–7.88, P<0.05), PLR (HR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.07–6.36, P<0.05) and nuclear grade (HR: 3.066, 95% CI: 1.26–7.49, P<0.05) were significant prognostic indicators of DFS in patients with breast cancer. Neither LMR nor NLR significantly predicted DFS. Both preoperative CRP and PLR values were independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with breast carcinoma; these were superior to other inflammation-based scores in terms of prognostic ability.
An Aid to Cervical Cerclage

Closure of the incompetent internal cervical os by whatever method presents few technical difficulties when attempted before effacement and dilatation have occurred. In the latter situation, unless the protruding fetal membranes can be reduced safely, their rupture during placement of the sutures is sometimes difficult to avoid. The following procedure has been evolved to facilitate the operation.
Role of the physicochemical properties of mucus in the protection of the respiratory epithelium

: The respiratory mucus is a very complex biological material, which possesses both ftow and deformation rheological properties, characterized by non linear and time-dependent vlscoelastlcity and physical properties of adhesiveness and wettablllty. Viscosity and elasticity are directly involved in the transport capacity of mucus, whereas wettability and adhesiveness contribute to the optimal interface properties between the mucus and the epithelial surface. Optimal conditions for the protective and lubricant properties of respiratory mucus are represented by high wettability, and adhesiveness high enough not to Induce ftow of mucus In the respiratory bronchloles under gravity but low enough to mobilize mucus by airftow during coughing. An intermediate viscoelasticlty Is also required for an optimal mucociliary transport. Different biochemical constituents such as glycoproteins, proteins, proteoglycans and lipids are involved in the gel properties of respiratory mucus. During bron chial infection and particularly in cystic Obrosis, the loss of water and the increase in macromolecules result in a marked increase in viscosity and adhesiveness responsible for the mucus transport impairment. The various llpids present in mucus contribute differently to the physicochemical properties. Surface-active phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol improve the wettablllty of mucus, whereas neutral lipids and glycosphyngolipids contrib ute to the hyperviscoslty of mucus during infection. Phospholipids and associ ated muclns
Treatment with antiretroviral therapy is not associated with increased sexual risk behavior in Kenyan female sex workers

Objective:The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that sexual risk behavior would increase following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Kenyan female sex workers (FSWs). Design:Prospective cohort study. Setting:FSW cohort in Mombasa, Kenya, 1993–2008. Subjects:Eight hundred and ninety-eight women contributed HIV-1-seropositive follow-up visits, of whom 129 initiated ART. Intervention:Beginning in March 2004, ART was provided to women qualifying for treatment according to Kenyan National Guidelines. Participants received sexual risk reduction education and free condoms at every visit. Main outcome measures:Main outcome measures included unprotected intercourse, abstinence, 100% condom use, number of sexual partners, and frequency of sex. Outcomes were evaluated at monthly follow-up visits using a 1-week recall interval. Results:Compared with non-ART-exposed follow-up, visits following ART initiation were not associated with an increase in unprotected sex [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62–1.19, P = 0.4]. There was a nonsignificant decrease in abstinence (AOR 0.81, 95% CI 0.65–1.01, P = 0.07), which was offset by a substantial increase in 100% condom use (AOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07–2.20, P = 0.02). Numbers of sex partners and frequency of sex were similar before versus after starting ART. A trend for decreased sexually transmitted infections following ART initiation provides additional support for the validity of the self-reported behavioral outcomes (AOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.44–1.02, P = 0.06). Conclusion:In the setting of ongoing risk reduction education and provision of free condoms, initiation of ART was not associated with increased sexual risk behavior in this cohort of Kenyan FSWs.
AMSR2 soil moisture downscaling using multisensor products through machine learning approach

Soil moisture is important to understand the interaction between the land and the atmosphere, and has an influence on hydrological and agricultural processes such as drought and crop yield. In-situ measurements at stations have been used to monitor soil moisture. However, data measured in the field are point-based and difficult to represent spatial distribution of soil moisture. Remote sensing techniques using microwave sensors provide spatially continuous soil moisture. The spatial resolution of remotely sensed soil moisture based on typical passive microwave sensors is coarse (e.g., tens of kilometers), which is inadequate for local or regional scale studies. In this study, AMSR2 soil moisture was downscaled to 1km using MODIS products that are closely related to soil moisture through statistical ordinary least squares (OLS) and random forest (RF) machine learning approaches. RF (r2=0.96, rmse=0.06) outperformed OLS (r2=0.47, rmse=0.16) in modeling soil moisture possibly because RF is much flexible through randomization and adopts an ensemble approach. Both approaches identified T·V (i.e., multiplication between land surface temperature and normalized difference vegetation index) and evapotranspiration. AMSR2 soil moisture produced from the VUA-NASA algorithm appeared overestimated at high elevation areas because the characteristics of ground data for validation and correction used in the algorithm were different from those in our study area. In future study, AMSR2 soil moisture based on the JAXA algorithm will be evaluated with additional input variables including land cover, elevation and precipitation.
Difenacoum (Neosorexa) poisoning.

Difenacoum is a coumarin anticoagulant developed as a rodenticidel that is freely available from supermarkets, chemists, and hardware stores. Accidental or criminal poisoning or self-poisoning is a hazard, and the effect on the anticoagulant mechanism is considerably more prolonged than that of warfarin. The following case history and details of animal experiments indicate the danger associated with this and related compounds.
Predictors and Social Consequences of Online Interactive Self-Disclosure: A Literature Review from 2002 to 2014

Computer-mediated communication has become ubiquitous in the lives of today's youth. The current review synthesizes recent findings regarding adolescents' and young adults' online interactive self-disclosure, with a particular emphasis on the direct antecedents and effects. Three broad categories of predictors are discussed, including demographic information and internal states, dispositional factors, as well as contextual factors. In addition, the synthesis of studies exploring consequences of online interactive self-disclosure indicates positive outcomes for social-related constructs. The article concludes with recommendations for future research, including the analysis of actual computer-mediated exchanges and longitudinal research that takes into account the dynamic process of self-disclosure over time and across media.
Isolated ulnar shaft fractures treated with functional braces.

OBJECTIVE To report the results from functional bracing of isolated ulnar shaft fractures. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING Two university hospitals. PATIENTS Isolated ulnar shaft fractures in 444 patients were stabilized in functional braces that permitted full range of motion of all joints. INTERVENTION Prefabricated braces that extended from below the elbow to above the wrist were applied within the first week after the initial injury. OUTCOME MEASURES Union of the fracture, fracture angulation, and final range of motion of the forearm were evaluated. RESULTS Two hundred eighty-seven patients were available for follow-up (65 percent). Union took place in 99 percent of the fractures. Shortening of the ulna averaged 1.1 millimeters (range 0 to 10 millimeters). Final radial angulation averaged 5 degrees (range 0 to 18 degrees). Dorsal angulation averaged 5 degrees (range 0 to 20 degrees). Average loss of pronation was greatest in fractures of the proximal third of the ulna, averaging 12 degrees. Fractures in the distal third averaged a loss of 5 degrees of pronation. CONCLUSIONS Functional bracing is a viable therapeutic alternative in the management of isolated ulnar shaft fractures. It is associated with a 99 percent union rate and good to excellent functional results in more than 96 percent of patients.
The Pros and Cons of Problem-Based Learning from the Teacher’s Standpoint

This article focuses on a teacher’s evaluation of an experiment with problem-based learning (PBL) and its effects on his professional development. This case study, of a descriptive-analytical nature, involved the collaboration between the researcher and teacher in the planning, implementation of PBL and, to some extent, analysis of results. Research data—collected via participant observation of classes and openended interviews with the teacher—were analyzed in light of the literature on PBL, teacher knowledge base, and professional development. Results indicate teacher satisfaction, but also point to higher class unpredictability and increased time/workload. PBL also seems to distribute teaching workload more evenly throughout the semester than traditional methods do. This hinders routinisation and constrains teachers’ autonomy. On the other hand PBL appeared to foster the teacher’s development of his teaching knowledge base, especially regarding the knowledge of students, their reasoning mode and interests.
Intracellular Copper Accumulation Enhances the Growth of Kineococcus radiotolerans during Chronic Irradiation

ABSTRACT The actinobacterium Kineococcus radiotolerans is highly resistant to ionizing radiation, desiccation, and oxidative stress, though the underlying biochemical mechanisms are unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore a possible linkage between the uptake of transition metals and extreme resistance to ionizing radiation and oxidative stress. The effects of six different divalent cationic metals on growth were examined in the absence of ionizing radiation. None of the metals tested were stimulatory, though cobalt was inhibitory to growth. In contrast, copper supplementation dramatically increased colony formation during chronic irradiation. K. radiotolerans exhibited specific uptake and intracellular accumulation of copper, compared to only a weak response to both iron and manganese supplementation. Copper accumulation sensitized cells to hydrogen peroxide. Acute-irradiation-induced DNA damage levels were similar in the copper-loaded culture and the age-synchronized no-copper control culture, though low-molecular-weight DNA was more persistent during postirradiation recovery in the Cu-loaded culture. Still, the estimated times for genome restoration differed by only 2 h between treatments. While we cannot discount the possibility that copper fulfills an unexpectedly important biochemical role in a low-radioactivity environment, K. radiotolerans has a high capacity for intracellular copper sequestration and presumably efficiently coordinated oxidative stress defenses and detoxification systems, which confers cross-protection from the damaging effects of ionizing radiation.