Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vanadium dioxide devices for terahertz wave modulation: a study of wire grid structures

Vandium dioxide (VO2) shows promise as the basis for a terahertz wave modulator due to its phase transition properties. Its insulator–metal-transition (IMT) can be induced either through temperature changes, optically or electronically. Recently, a metal-VO2 wire grid structure was proposed which was able to increase the modulation depth (MD) from 0.65 to 0.9, suggesting that these simple metallic structures could greatly increase the difference in terahertz transmission for the insulating and metallic states of VO2 based structures. In this paper, we have found that the increase in MD decreases with increasing VO2 conductivity in the metallic state, resulting in a maximum modulation depth of approximately 0.95 for wire grid structures that preserves a high transmission in the insulating state. Surprisingly, we find that deposition of VO2 on top of metallic structures results in reduced performance. However, we find that devices based upon VO2 alone can achieve unexpectedly high performance. In this work we present a device with a switchable wire-grid polariser effect over a broadband frequency range (from 0.3 to 2 THz). To our knowledge this is the first such broadband metamaterial based solely on VO2. The ability to switch on a metamaterial property like this to produce a polarisation effect is very useful for future terahertz optical devices such as rotators and waveplates.
The frequency of Candida parapsilosis in onychomycosis. An epidemiological survey in Israel

Candida albicans is regarded as the major pathogen in yeast‐induced onychomycosis. Based on our impression of an increasing prevalence of Candida parapsilosis in this disease, we examined the data of two mycology laboratories in the same geographic location, from 1994 to 1996 in one (centre A) and for 1995 (6 months) in the other (centre B). A total of 954 and 230 toenails and 621 and 190 fingernails, respectively, underwent KOH microscopy and culture studies in each centre. Positive findings were noted in 45 and 65% of the toenails and 44 and 72% of the fingernails, respectively. In the toenails, Candida spp. were found in 22 and 15%, respectively, and in the fingernails, in 77 and 63%, respectively. The most frequent Candida species was C. parapsilosis (39.5% in toenails, 36.7% in fingernails), followed by C. albicans (19.5% in toenails, and 34.4% in fingernails). These results demonstrate a higher frequency of isolation of C. parapsilosis compared with C. albicans in onychomycosis. This might have important therapeutic implications.
Quality of surgical care and readmission in elderly glioblastoma patients.

BACKGROUND Thirty-day readmissions post medical or surgical discharge have been analyzed extensively. Studies have shown that complex interactions of multiple factors are responsible for these hospitalizations. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Medicare database of newly diagnosed elderly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients who underwent surgical resection between 1991 and 2007. Hospitals were classified into high- or low-readmission rate cohorts using a risk-adjusted methodology. Bivariate comparisons of outcomes were conducted. Multivariate analysis evaluated differences in quality of care according to hospital readmission rates. RESULTS A total of 1,273 patients underwent surgery in 338 hospitals; 523 patients were treated in 228 high-readmission hospitals and 750 in 110 low-readmission hospitals. Patient characteristics for high-versus low-readmission hospitals were compared. In a confounder-adjusted model, patients treated in high- versus low-readmission hospitals had similar outcomes. The hazard of mortality for patients treated at high- compared to low-readmission hospitals was 1.06 (95% CI, 0.095%-1.19%). While overall complications were comparable between high- and low-readmission hospitals (16.3% vs 14.3%; P = .33), more postoperative pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis complications were documented in patients treated at high-readmission hospitals (7.5% vs 4.1%; P = .01). Adverse events and levels of resection achieved during surgery were comparable at high- and low-readmission hospitals. CONCLUSIONS For patients undergoing GBM resection, quality of care provided by hospitals with the highest adjusted readmission rates was similar to the care delivered by hospitals with the lowest rates. These findings provide evidence against the preconceived notion that 30-day readmissions can be used as a metric for quality of surgical and postsurgical care.
The social construction of identity in HIV/AIDS home-based care volunteers in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Home-based care volunteer (HBCV) identity and how it is shaped was the main focus of the study. Fifteen HBCVs were interviewed about their work and personal life stories and then interviewed reflectively using a narrative interviewing style. Specific attention was paid to contextual meta-narratives and social field narratives in understanding the women's stories. Findings indicate that social field narratives of the women's stories were dominated by negative aspects of gender, poverty and socio-political factors. These were seen to coincide with the ‘feminisation of responsibility’ in this context effectively coercing the women into agency which manifested as their home-based care work. Meta-narratives influencing the women's lives were dominated by stories of communal motherhood, aspirations to service-oriented work and religious beliefs and commitment. The question of how it is possible for women who are seemingly constrained by oppressive narratives to voluntarily engage in community participation was answered in the women's personal life stories about being compassionate, hopeful, helpful and ambitious and having initiative. These characteristics collectively pointed to personal agency. Exploring connections between the different aspects of identity and context revealed that the women made sense of their community participation through their personal identities as strong and loving mothers. Connections between volunteer personal identity, agency and volunteer group identity were explored to make sense of the link between HBCV identity and volunteerism. The mother identity, encompassing personal agency (strength or power) and love (the meta-narrative of communal motherly love), was salient in influencing community participation of the group.
An Analytical Expression for 3-D Dyadic FDTD-Compatible Green's Function in Infinite Free Space via z-Transform and Partial Difference Operators

FDTD solutions have their own properties distinct from the discrete samples of corresponding continuous wave solutions. Thus, the discrete equivalent to the Green's function is needed for applications like the one using a hybrid absorbing boundary condition which couples the FDTD algorithm with integral operators for nonconvex scatterers. In this paper we propose a new closed-form expression for the 3-D dyadic FDTD-compatible Green's function in infinite free space via a novel approach with the ordinary z-transform along with the spatial partial difference operators. The final expression involves a summation of standing wave modes with time-varying coefficients. The propagation of waves in the Yee's grid can be interpreted by the selective property of the time-varying coefficients, which is very different from the conventional concept of a traveling wave. The traditional dispersion analysis using plane waves for the FDTD algorithm in a source-free region may not be applicable to explain the wave propagation phenomenon through our analytic expression, because the corresponding z-transform diverges for z on the unit circle.
Modulation of the hyperpolarization‐activated Cl‐ current in human intestinal T84 epithelial cells by phosphorylation.

1. Hyperpolarization‐activated Cl‐ currents (ICl,hyp) were investigated in the T84 human adenocarcinoma cell line, using the patch‐clamp whole‐cell configuration. 2. During whole‐cell recording with high‐chloride and ATP‐containing internal solutions, hyperpolarizing jumps from a holding potential of 0 mV elicited slow inward current relaxations, carried by Cl‐ and detected at membrane potentials more negative than ‐40 mV. Analysis of the relative permeabilities to monovalent anions gave the following sequence: Cl‐ > Br‐ > I‐ > glutamate. 3. ICl,hyp was partially inhibited by 1 mM diphenylamine‐2‐carboxylic acid or 0.1 mM 5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino)‐benzoate, and was completely blocked by Cd2+ (> 300 microM). It was insensitive to 1 mM external 4,4'‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2'‐disulphonic acid or 1 mM Ba2+. 4. ICl,hyp was inhibited by external application of 500 microM cptcAMP (8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐adenosine 3':5'‐cyclic monophosphate) or 500 nM of the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12‐myristate, 13‐acetate. 5. (i) Omission of ATP from the pipette solution, (ii) ATP replacement by the non‐hydrolysable ATP analogue 5'‐adenylylimidodiphosphate, and (iii) inhibition of protein kinase C by staurosporine or calphostin C accelerated the activation kinetics of the current and increased its amplitude, but did not alter its pharmacological properties. 6. We conclude that hyperpolarization‐activated Cl‐ channels similar to those of ClC‐2 channels (mammalian homologue of Torpedo chloride channel ClC‐0) are present in T84 cells, and that their gating properties are modulated by phosphorylation.
Statistical Mechanics of Finite Ice-Rule Ferroelectric Models!

We study the statistical mechanics of the KDP, F and modified KDP models defined on a 4 x4 lattice. Direct fields that are parallel and perpendicular to the crystal axis as well as staggered field are considered. Numerical results on the energy, specific heat, polarization and polarizability are given.
Light at Night and Measures of Alertness and Performance

Rotating-shift workers, particularly those working at night, are likely to experience sleepiness, decreased productivity, and impaired safety while on the job. Light at night has been shown to have acute alerting effects, reduce sleepiness, and improve performance. However, light at night can also suppress melatonin and induce circadian disruption, both of which have been linked to increased health risks. Previous studies have shown that long-wavelength (red) light exposure increases objective and subjective measures of alertness at night, without suppressing nocturnal melatonin. This study investigated whether exposure to red light at night would not only increase measures of alertness but also improve performance. It was hypothesized that exposure to both red (630 nm) and white (2,568 K) lights would improve performance but that only white light would significantly affect melatonin levels. Seventeen individuals participated in a 3-week, within-subjects, nighttime laboratory study. Compared to remaining in dim light, participants had significantly faster reaction times in the GO/NOGO test after exposure to both red light and white light. Compared to dim light exposure, power in the alpha and alpha-theta regions was significantly decreased after exposure to red light. Melatonin levels were significantly suppressed by white light only. Results show that not only can red light improve measures of alertness, but it can also improve certain types of performance at night without affecting melatonin levels. These findings could have significant practical applications for nurses; red light could help nurses working rotating shifts maintain nighttime alertness, without suppressing melatonin or changing their circadian phase.
Running head : AFFECT BURSTS 1 Affect Bursts : Dynamic Patterns of Facial Expression

Affect bursts consist of spontaneous and short emotional expressions in which facial, vocal, and gestural components are highly synchronized. Although the vocal characteristics have been examined in several recent studies, the facial modality remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the facial correlates of affect bursts that expressed 5 different emotions: anger, fear, sadness, joy, and relief. Detailed analysis of 59 facial actions with the Facial Action Coding System revealed a reasonable degree of emotion differentiation for individual action units (AUs). However, less convergence was shown for specific AU combinations for a limited number of prototypes. Moreover, expression of facial actions peaked in a cumulativesequential fashion with significant differences in their sequential appearance between emotions. When testing for the classification of facial expressions within a dimensional approach, facial actions differed significantly as a function of the valence and arousal level of the 5 emotions, thereby allowing further distinction between joy and relief. The findings cast doubt on the existence of fixed patterns of facial responses for each emotion, resulting in unique facial prototypes. Rather, the results suggest that each emotion can be portrayed by several different expressions that share multiple facial actions.
Hemoglobin Levels and Athletic Performance in Elite Speed Skaters During the Olympic Season 2006

Objective:To test the hypotheses that the hemoglobin (Hb) distribution curve in elite male and female long track speed skaters is not normally distributed and that there is a positive relationship between competitive success and Hb concentration. Design:A venous blood sample was taken before the events from all skaters. The Hb concentration distribution curves of all ranked from 1 to 30 were tested for normality. In addition, individual Hb concentrations were plotted against ranking in the matching events. Setting:2006 major championships and Olympic winter games. Participants:All elite male and female speed skaters (217 men and 200 women) competing in major international championships in 2006 and in the Olympic winter games 2006. Main Outcome Measurements:Hb concentration and individual ranking in the matching event. Results:The mean Hb levels in men and women were 15.7 ± 0.8 g/dL and 14.0 ± 0.7 g/dL, respectively. The distribution curve in men would meet the criteria for normal distribution when 4 values from 2 skaters with naturally high Hb levels were neglected. In the women, the distribution curve did not meet the criteria for normality because of low frequency in the right side of the distribution curve and a high frequency at the left side. The curve failed to have a steep drop off at the right side. When plotting Hb concentration against ranking, there is no correlation and relationship between Hb concentration and competitive success. Conclusions:The Hb concentrations are within the normal range for endurance athletes, and there is no indication that the values are titrated toward the upper allowed limit. In addition, there is no relationship between Hb concentration and competitive success in elite speed skaters.
Integrating tuberculosis and HIV services in rural Kenya: uptake and outcomes.

SETTING Seventeen rural public health facilities in Western Kenya that introduced three models of integrated care for tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. OBJECTIVE To assess the uptake and timing of cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) and antiretroviral treatment (ART) as well as anti-tuberculosis treatment outcomes among HIV-infected TB patients before (March-October 2010) and after (March-October 2012) the introduction of integrated TB-HIV care. DESIGN A before-and-after cohort study using programme data. RESULTS Of 501 HIV-infected TB patients, 357 (71%) were initiated on CPT and 178 (39%) on ART in the period before the introduction of integrated TB-HIV care. Following the integration of services, respectively 316 (98%) and 196 (61%) of 323 HIV-infected individuals were initiated on CPT and on ART (P < 0.001). The median time to CPT and ART initiation dropped from 7 to 2 days and from 42 to 34 days during the pre- and post-integration phases, respectively. Overall TB success rates did not vary with integration or with type of model instituted. CONCLUSION Integration of TB and HIV services enhanced uptake and reduced delay in instituting CPT and ART in rural health facilities. There is a need to increase impetus in these efforts.
Social Electricity: a case study on users perceptions in using green ICT social applications

Stimulated by a large number of socio-cognitive theories, suggesting that comparative feedback motivates people to adapt their behaviour according to commonly accepted behaviour and values, we developed Social Electricity, an online social application motivating users to change their electrical consumption through effective and realistic comparisons with the ones of their friends, neighbours and other users with similar characteristics. By exploiting normative social influence, the users may perceive their energy behaviour and take steps to reduce their electricity footprint. Collaborating with the local energy utility, social electricity has been deployed at a national level in Cyprus, aiming to influence citizens towards energy savings. In this paper, we present the conceptual design of the application along with analysis of results gathered through a questionnaire-based survey with 198 participants, combined with mini focus group studies, focusing on the investigation of user perceptions related to several aspects of social electricity, six months after its official release. This study provides interesting insights about the usefulness and acceptance of such large-scale, green ICT social applications, and their potential for affecting energy knowledge and awareness, encouraging users to become more sensitive about the environment and adopt pro-environmental behaviours.
Toll‐like receptor 4 signaling regulates the acute local inflammatory response to injury and the fibrosis/neovascularization of sterile wounds

The role of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the regulation of inflammation and fibrosis in sterile wounds was investigated in TLR4 signal‐deficient (C3H/HeJ or TLR4−/−) and control mice using the subcutaneously implanted polyvinyl alcohol sponge wound model. Total and differential wound cell counts 1, 3, and 7 days after injury did not differ between C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeOuJ animals. Blood monocytes from both strains expressed CCR2 equally. Day one wounds in C3H/HeJ mice contained fewer Gr‐1high wound macrophages, CCL3, and CCL5, and more CCL17 than those in controls. The accumulation of CCL2, CX3CL1, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, IL‐12, and interferon‐γ in wound fluids was not TLR4 dependent. Wound macrophages from C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeOuJ mice expressed CCR4 and CCR5, but not CCR1 or CCR3. Wound macrophage recruitment was not altered in CCR5−/− mice or in C3H/HeOuJ animals injected with neutralizing anti‐CCL3 and anti‐CCL5 antibodies. Neutralization of the CCR4 ligand CCL17 in C3H/HeJ mice did not alter wound macrophage populations. There was a twofold increase in collagen content and number of neovessels in 21‐day‐old wounds in C3H/HeJ vs. C3H/HeOuJ mice. There were no differences between strains in the number of myofibroblasts in the wounds 7 or 21 days postwounding. The increased fibrosis and angiogenesis in wounds from /HeJ mice correlated with higher concentrations of transforming growth factor‐β and fibroblast growth factor 2 in wound fluids from these animals. Wound fluids did not contain detectable lipopolysaccharide and did not induce IκBα degradation in J774.A1 macrophages. Results support a role for endogenous ligands of TLR4 in the regulation of inflammation and repair in sterile wounds.
Development of immunity to malaria may not be an entirely active process

It has never been explained why it takes so long for humans to develop immunity to malaria, although factors such as antigenic variation, antigenic polymorphism, and poor immunological responses to critical antigens are thought to be important. Models of malaria, particularly in rodents, have not been helpful. The course of malaria infection differs considerably between humans and rodents. Mice rapidly develop immunity whereas for most humans it takes several years of exposure for this to occur. Mice typically exhibit high parasitaemias whereas humans typically do not. A significant difference in the immune response of humans and mice to malaria parasites might, in part, explain these differences. Most humans have a preexisting population of activated malaria parasite‐specific T cells (cross‐reactive T cells) which we have referred to as ‘natural’ T cells, but such cells have not been observed in mice. These cells, many of which secrete interferon‐γ), might control parasitaemia early in the infection, but a by‐product of their further activation by malaria parasites might be disease symptoms. Development of immunity has been thought of as an active process–acquisition of specific antibody and effector T cell responses. However, it might in part reflect induction of tolerance of this preexisting population of disease‐inducing Tcells as a result of chronic parasitaemia. The initial presence of these Th1‐like cells may also impede the development of a Th2‐like response necessary for the production of protective antibodies. Persistent cross‐reactive stimulation may significantly impede this process.
Trends in consumption of ultra-processed foods and obesity in Sweden between 1960 and 2010

Abstract Objective To investigate how consumption of ultra-processed foods has changed in Sweden in relation to obesity. Design Nationwide ecological analysis of changes in processed foods along with corresponding changes in obesity. Trends in per capita food consumption during 1960–2010 were investigated using data from the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Food items were classified as group 1 (unprocessed/minimally processed), group 2 (processed culinary ingredients) or group 3 (3·1, processed food products; and 3·2, ultra-processed products). Obesity prevalence data were pooled from the peer-reviewed literature, Statistics Sweden and the WHO Global Health Observatory. Setting Nationwide analysis in Sweden, 1960–2010. Subjects Swedish nationals aged 18 years and older. Results During the study period consumption of group 1 foods (minimal processing) decreased by 2 %, while consumption of group 2 foods (processed ingredients) decreased by 34 %. Consumption of group 3·1 foods (processed food products) increased by 116 % and group 3·2 foods (ultra-processed products) increased by 142 %. Among ultra-processed products, there were particularly large increases in soda (315 %; 22 v. 92 litres/capita per annum) and snack foods such as crisps and candies (367 %; 7 v. 34 kg/capita per annum). In parallel to these changes in ultra-processed products, rates of adult obesity increased from 5 % in 1980 to over 11 % in 2010. Conclusions The consumption of ultra-processed products (i.e. foods with low nutritional value but high energy density) has increased dramatically in Sweden since 1960, which mirrors the increased prevalence of obesity. Future research should clarify the potential causal role of ultra-processed products in weight gain and obesity.