Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research on Dual-Wavelength Single Polarizing Filter Based on Photonic Crystal Fiber

Dual-wavelength single polarizing filter has many important applications in the field of optical communication. Based on the principle of surface plasma resonance, a kind of dual-wavelength single polarizing filter with the broadband of low crosstalk was proposed in the paper by adopting good polarization characteristics of photonic crystal fiber. It could have single polarizing filtering in the dual-wavelength of 1310 and 1550 nm and the polarization direction of optical output is independent of the wavelength of incident light. The polarization direction of emergent light through filter can always keep the core mode in x-polarized direction (x-PCM) in a wide range of wavelength, which increases the difference of confinement loss of core mode in y-polarized direction (y-PCM) and x-PCM, and reduces mutual crosstalk. Meanwhile, the theoretical result also showed that the wavelength location and intensity of loss peak of polarizing mandrel are only affected by the air holes adjacent to fiber core and metal film and have little correlation with the structural parameters of other air holes, which ease the difficulty level of preparing filter based on photonic crystal fiber. Under certain structural parameters, the confinement loss of y-PCM could reach 265.04 dB/cm in 1310 nm and 230.5 dB/cm in 1550 nm. The half-width of confinement loss in the wavelength of 1310 nm is only 12 nm, while the loss of x-PCM is much smaller than that in y-PCM.
THE ROLE OF ACTION-CONTROL BELIEFS IN DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERTISE

Purpose—This paper theorizes on the mechanisms underlying the development of entrepreneurial expertise. While prior studies have identified differences between the behaviour of novice and expert entrepreneurs, the mechanisms that cause these differences have not received sufficient attention. Design/methodology/approach—This paper systematically reviews the extant literature on entrepreneurial expertise and builds the conceptual framework by employing an actioncontrol belief framework to propose mechanisms underlying the development of expert behaviour. Findings—This paper argues that differences in behaviour between novice and expert entrepreneurs stem from self-perceptions of their ability to act. More specifically, stronger action-control beliefs encourage entrepreneurs to create new interpretations of the world over time; develop and use strategies that allow them to rely on perceived control over means and ends, their perceived capacity, and their agency; and hence behave more like experts. Practical implications—This paper suggests that strategy, capacity, and control beliefs are key in individuals’ decisions of whether to engage in entrepreneurial action and that expert entrepreneurs hold stronger beliefs than novices. Positive experiences, particularly those associated with deliberate practice, contribute to developing these beliefs and, more broadly, to entrepreneurial expertise. Originality/value—This paper proposes that the mechanism of transformation from novice to expert behaviour can be attributed to positive changes in deeply held beliefs about strategy, capacity, and control. Each of the beliefs can develop separately from others and at different pace. In other words, this work explains why novice and expert entrepreneurs behave differently.
Ziprasidone in bipolar disorder

Ziprasidone is a second-generation antipsychotic currently marketed for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar mania. It has a unique receptor profile that includes high-affinity antagonist activity at 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A, D2, 1D and 2C receptors, a potent agonist activity at 5-HT1A receptors and a relatively high affinity for the 5-HT and noradrenaline transporters. The efficacy of ziprasidone in bipolar mania (current episode, manic or mixed) has been well demonstrated in three placebo-controlled trials. In a three-arm controlled study, ziprasidone was shown to be efficacious in dysphoric mania, whereas haloperidol was comparable to placebo. Open-label treatment for up to 52 weeks supported the sustained efficacy of ziprasidone in bipolar disorder. Combined with lithium, ziprasidone has been shown to be efficacious as an augmenting agent in the acute treatment of mania, with sustained efficacy up to 1 year. Ziprasidone was very well tolerated by patients with bipolar disorder and did not cause increased weight, glucose or lipid levels.
Female reproductive competition in Eulemur rufifrons: eviction and reproductive restraint in a plurally breeding Malagasy primate

In mammals with female philopatry, co‐resident females inevitably compete with each other for resources or reproductive opportunities, thereby reducing the kin‐selected benefits of altruism towards relatives. These counteracting forces of cooperation and competition among kin should be particularly pronounced in plurally breeding species with limited alternative breeding opportunities outside the natal group. However, little is still known about the costs of reproductive competition on females’ fitness and the victims’ potential counter‐strategies. Here we summarize long‐term behavioural, demographic and genetic data collected on a plurally breeding primate from Madagascar to illuminate mechanisms and effects of female reproductive competition, focusing on forcible eviction and potential reproductive restraint. The main results of our study indicate that females in groups of redfronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons) above a critical size suffer from competition from their close relatives: females in larger groups face an increased probability of not giving birth as well as a higher probability of being evicted, especially during the annual mating and birth seasons. Eviction is not predicted by the number of adult females, the number of close female relatives, female age or inter‐annual variation in rainfall but only by total group size. Thus, eviction in this species is clearly linked with reproductive competition, it cannot be forestalled by reproductive restraint or having many relatives in the group, and it occurs in the absence of a clear dominance hierarchy. Our study therefore also underscores the notion that potential inclusive fitness benefits from living with relatives may have been generally over‐rated and should not be taken for granted.
Cytokine blockers in psoriatic arthritis

The cellular events underlying the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis have not yet been fully elucidated. Nevertheless, some clues to these conditions are beginning to emerge. In particular, a growing body of data supports the role of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF), in the pathophysiology of PsA and psoriasis. Raised levels of these cytokines are found in the joints of patients with PsA, as well as in psoriatic skin lesions. Physiotherapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, corticosteroids, and disease modifying antirheumatic agents, such as methotrexate, are the most commonly used treatments for PsA. However, the data supporting the effectiveness of these treatments are limited, and disease resolution is usually incomplete. This study examined the effects of etanercept, a TNF inhibitor, in patients with PsA. Etanercept treatment was well tolerated and resulted in significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of PsA and in psoriatic skin lesions. Infliximab, another TNF inhibitor, has also been shown to be effective in patients with PsA. Such studies confirm the importance of proinflammatory cytokines in PsA, and hold out hope for patients who require new options for the treatment of their disease.
Vav Binding to Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) C

The vav proto-oncogene is exclusively expressed in hematopoietic cells and encodes a 95-kDa protein that contains multiple structural domains. Vav is involved in the expansion of T and B cells, in antigen-mediated proliferative responses, and in the induction of intrathymic T cell maturation. It becomes rapidly and transiently tyrosine-phosphorylated upon triggering of a large number of surface receptors and catalyzes GDP/GTP exchange on Rac-1. We now provide evidence for the specific interaction of Vav with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) C. Vav and hnRNP C interact bothin vivo and in vitro mediated through the carboxyl Src homology 3 domain of Vav and the proline-rich motif located in the nuclear retention sequence of hnRNP C. More importantly, Vav-hnRNP C complexes are present in living hematopoietic cells and both proteins localize in the nuclei, mainly on perichromatic fibrils but also on clusters of interchromatin granules. The Vav-hnRNP C interaction is regulated by poly(U) RNA, although a basal association is still detected in the absence of RNA. Furthermore, RNA homopolymers differentially alter the binding affinity of Vav to hnRNP C and hnRNP K. We propose that Vav-hnRNP interactions may be established in an RNA-dependent manner.
Vitamin D deficiency disrupts neuronal integrity in cognitively impaired patients.

BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests that low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) may induce cognitive decline and dementia, however, the pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and neuronal integrity in cognitively impaired patients. METHODS One hundred nine patients with memory impairment were divided into quartiles according to serum concentrations of 25OHD concentration, from lowest (L-25OHD) to highest (H-25OHD). The diffusion tensor images from the L-25OHD group and the H-25OHD group were assessed. A mask of regional white matter hyperintensities was obtained in the T1-weighted image space. Data were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics with a nonlinear registration algorithm. RESULTS Patients in the L-25OHD group had lower fractional anisotropy values compared with patients in the H-25OHD group in the frontal parts of the inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculi, cingulum bundle, corpus callosum (genu), anterior limb of the internal capsule, and anterior corona radiata (familywise error corrected, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D deficiency is associated with disruption of neuronal integrity, primarily in frontal regions. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to the loss of neuroprotective properties in cerebral ischemia and vascular lesions, contributing to memory impairment.
Detection of serum autoantibodies to tumor suppressor gene p53 with a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with ovarian cancer.

Sera from 99 ovarian cancer patients were assayed for serum autoantibodies to p53 using a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results were compared to the investigation using the former ELISA. The incidence of autoantibodies (25%) was lower using the newly developed ELISA as compared to the previous results (41%). The results were consistent in 79% of patients (P < .001). The incidence of autoantibodies was lower in patients with complete remission (19%) as compared to that of patients with recurrence (30%) and before primary surgery (26%). No statistically significant correlation was found among p53 serum autoantibody status and tumor stage, degree of malignancy, histologic subtype, and residual tumor after primary surgery. Use of the newly developed ELISA resulted in a higher consensus between immunohistochemically negative and autoantibody negative cases. Owing to further purifying of the prepared human recombinant p53. the newly developed ELISA seems to be of higher specificity as compared to the former ELISA.
Mining similar radiology reports using BoW and Fuzzy C-means clustering

Finding similar diagnoses for the same region are vital for patients. In this paper, we aim to find the similarity radiology reports based on bag-of-words (BoW) and Fuzzy C-Means Clustering methods. A double-layer structure is applied. Firstly, extracting features from data BoW method is applied and then Fuzzy C-Means algorithm is performed to cluster the blocks into the similar cluster and the non-similar cluster. 457 radiology reports were examined which were collected from a research and education hospital in Istanbul. Data were tested according to the 23 regions and 137 diagnosis. By the opinion of the radiologist a vocabulary consists of these regions and diagnosis were created. Experimental results on data sets have shown that for the standard documents BoW and Fuzzy C-Means Clustering can be used to find similarity.
Definition of a Fundamental Repeating Unit in Streptococcal Glucosyltransferase Glucan-binding Regions and Related Sequences

The C-termini of the glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) of oral streptococci are responsible for glucan binding. These glucan-binding domains (GBDs) are composed of a series of repeated sequences that have been classified into four different classes (A-D) by virtue of sequence similarity and which, by inference, have been suggested to be of functional importance. In contrast, we propose that repeat sequences evolve in response to selection for an increase in the number of copies of a particular domain through multiple duplication events occurring at different times. According to this hypothesis, repeats should possess various degrees of similarity, especially if only key residues are of functional importance. Analysis of the GBDs of the Gtfs indicated that a common fundamental repeat, designated the "YG" repeat, could be discerned within the "A", "B", "C", and "D" repeats. Similar elements were also conserved in the ligand-binding repeats of the Clostridium difficile toxins and the lysins and the PspA protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae, suggesting that similar selective pressures had also been imposed on these sequences. Analysis of the "YG" repeats present in the GtfJ and GtfK of Streptococcus salivarius indicated that some of the "YG" repeats in the GBDs of these proteins had arisen as a result of duplication events involving a series of three sequential "YG" repeats.
Combining two strategies to improve perfusion and drug delivery in solid tumors

Significance Vascular normalization and stress-alleviation treatments are promising strategies to improve tumor perfusion and delivery of drugs. Vascular normalization is more effective for tumors with hyperpermeable but uncompressed vessels, whereas stress alleviation is more beneficial for compressed but low-permeable vessels. In the case of tumors with hyperpermeable and compressed vessels, the two strategies need to be combined for improved treatment. Blood perfusion in tumors can be significantly lower than that in the surrounding normal tissue owing to the leakiness and/or compression of tumor blood vessels. Impaired perfusion reduces oxygen supply and results in a hypoxic microenvironment. Hypoxia promotes tumor progression and immunosuppression, and enhances the invasive and metastatic potential of cancer cells. Furthermore, poor perfusion lowers the delivery of systemically administered drugs. Therapeutic strategies to improve perfusion include reduction in vascular permeability by vascular normalization and vascular decompression by alleviating physical forces (solid stress) inside tumors. Both strategies have shown promise, but guidelines on how to use these strategies optimally are lacking. To this end, we developed a mathematical model to guide the optimal use of these strategies. The model accounts for vascular, transvascular, and interstitial fluid and drug transport as well as the diameter and permeability of tumor vessels. Model simulations reveal an optimal perfusion region when vessels are uncompressed, but not very leaky. Within this region, intratumoral distribution of drugs is optimized, particularly for drugs 10 nm in diameter or smaller and of low binding affinity. Therefore, treatments should modify vessel diameter and/or permeability such that perfusion is optimal. Vascular normalization is more effective for hyperpermeable but largely uncompressed vessels (e.g., glioblastomas), whereas solid stress alleviation is more beneficial for compressed but less-permeable vessels (e.g., pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas). In the case of tumors with hyperpermeable and compressed vessels (e.g., subset of mammary carcinomas), the two strategies need to be combined for improved treatment outcomes.
Multicellular spheroids as an in vitro model in experimental oncology: applications in translational medicine

Multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTS), the best-described three-dimensional tumour model, offers an excellent in vitro screening system, which to a great extent mimics the microenvironment prevailing in the tumour tissue, supporting studies on such tumour specific processes such as angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis and the assessment of responses to various therapies as well as their underlying mechanisms. Developed as an alternative in vitro model to monolayer cultures, nearly 30 years ago, their role as part of high-throughput cell-based assay system in drug discovery is gaining considerable importance. The distinct possibility of establishing MCTS from primary tumour cells and co-culturing with different normal cells, namely stromal fibroblasts, endothelial cells and cells of hemopoietic as well as immune system lineage, enhance the value of MCTS in cancer research and drug development. Here, the authors present a brief overview on the present status on the application of multicellular spheroids in experimental oncology, particularly from the view point of cancer therapy and drug development.
N,N′-Bis(2-furylmethylene)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine

In the title compound, C30H20N2O2, the orientation of the furyl group may induce a variety of coordination modes with this ligand. The dihedral angle between the two naphthyl rings is 79.25 (7)°. The furyl groups make dihedral angles of 62.0 (1) and 16.3 (2)° with the attached naphthyl groups. The dihedral angle between the two furyl rings is 49.3 (2)°.
Memory CD8+ T Cell Responses Expand When Antigen Presentation Overcomes T Cell Self-Regulation1

Antimicrobial memory CD8+ T cell responses are not readily expanded by either repeated infections or immunizations. This is a major obstacle to the development of T cell vaccines. Prime-boost immunization with heterologous microbes sharing the same CD8+ epitope can induce a large expansion of the CD8+ response; however, different vectors vary greatly in their ability to boost for reasons that are poorly understood. To investigate how efficient memory T cell expansion can occur, we evaluated immune regulatory events and Ag presentation after secondary immunization with strong and weak boosting vectors. We found that dendritic cells were essential for T cell boosting and that Ag presentation by these cells was regulated by cognate memory CD8+ T cells. When weak boosting vectors were used for secondary immunization, pre-established CD8+ T cells were able to effectively curtail Ag presentation, resulting in limited CD8+ T cell expansion. In contrast, a strong boosting vector, vaccinia virus, induced highly efficient Ag presentation that overcame regulation by cognate T cells and induced large numbers of memory CD8+ T cells to expand. Thus, efficient targeting of Ag to dendritic cells in the face of cognate immunity is an important requirement for T cell expansion.
A wideband circularly-polarized active Van Atta retrodirective transponder with information carrying ability

A new kind of information carrying technology is proposed on the platform of a circularly-polarized Van Atta retrodirective array. Similar to the phase conjugated array but with lower design complexity, the proposed array exhibits retrodirectivity and can transmit information from the base station to the interrogator. In this paper, a dual-circularly-polarized antenna array that can isolate the incoming and outgoing signals is designed for both receiving and transmitting purposes. The radar-cross-section (RCS) patterns confirm the retrodirective ability with a wide scanning range of over 120deg. Low-noise ET amplifiers with low power consumption and noise figure are employed to increase the link gain. Without the need of an LO, the proposed array can modulate a digital source such that signal at the output of the amplifier carry information.
Predictive direct torque control ASIC with speed feedback controller in motor drive

This paper presents a modified predictive direct torque control (PDTC) application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with speed feedback controller in motor drive. The proposed PDTC ASIC not only decreases the ripple of hysteresis controller but also enhances the performance of motor controller. Verilog hardware description language (Verilog HDL) is used to implement the hardware architecture; and that an ASIC is fabricated in TSMC 0. 18μm process with cell-based design method. Both switching and calculating delay times mainly contribute the ripples which degrade the control quality in motor drive. By using the predictive scheme, we not only improve the ripple issue of the traditional direct torque control technique, but also make the control system more stable by decreasing the time delay in hysteresis controller. According to the measured results, the proposed PDTC ASIC performs with the coverage of 99.10 % and the fault coverage of 98.28 % at the operating frequency of 50 MHz, the supplied voltage of 1.8 V and the power consumption of 218.7 mW.
Biospecimens and Biorepositories: From Afterthought to Science

Biospecimens are recognized as critical components of biomedical research, from basic studies to clinical trials and epidemiologic investigations. Biorepositories have existed in various forms for more than 150 years, from early small collections in pathology laboratories to modern automated facilities managing millions of samples. As collaborative science has developed, it has been recognized that biospecimens must be of consistent quality. Recent years have seen a proliferation of best practices and the recognition of the field of “biospecimen science. ” The future of this field will depend on the development of more evidence-based practices in both the research and clinical settings. As the field matures, educating a new generation of biospecimen/biobanking scientists will be an important need. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(2); 253–5. ©2012 AACR.
Human renin gene BglI dimorphism associated with hypertension in two independent populations

The renin (REN) gene is a good candidate that could underlie an individual's genetic susceptibility to human essential hypertension (EHT). We describe here a polymerase chain reaction‐based assay for detection of a BglI dimorphic site located in the first intron of the REN gene. In this retrospective, case–control, association study, we investigated BglI allele and genotype distributions in 554 subjects (280 hypertensives and 274 normotensives) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – a genetically homogeneous ethnic population with no history of smoking or alcohol consumption – and in 485 hypercholesterolemic, US Caucasian subjects (250 hypertensives and 235 normotensives). A statistically significant association was found between alleles on which the BglI site is present [BglI(+)] and clinical diagnosis of EHT in the UAE sample group (odds ratio=2.69, p=0.0006), and a similar trend was observed in the US group (odds ratio=1.97, p=0.01). BglI(+) homozygous status was also investigated in the US group and found to be associated with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure values (respectively, 144.8±26.1 vs. 134.1±23.0 mmHg, p=0.04; and 91.0±12.5 vs. 82.2±12.7 mmHg, p=0.009). In conclusion, variations of the REN (or of a nearby) gene that may be in linkage disequilibrium with the RENBglI(+) marker could play a role in contributing to an increased individual's genetic susceptibility to EHT in the UAE population and amongst US hypercholesterolemic Caucasians. Such a genetic influence, which seems to show a recessive mode of inheritance, could also be implicated in raising both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.