Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Characterization of an Electrowetting-Based Single-Mode Fiber Variable Optical Attenuator

We report an optofluidics-based variable optical attenuator (VOA) employing a tapered side-polished single-mode optical fiber attached to an electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) platform. The side polishing of the fiber cladding gives access to the evanescent field of the guided mode, while the EWOD platform electrically controls the stepwise translation of a liquid droplet along the variable thickness polished cladding of the fiber. The penetration of the evanescent field into the droplet leads to tunneling of optical power from the fiber core to the droplet, from where it is radiatively lost. As a result of the variable cladding thickness, the position of the droplet along the length of the polished fiber determines the degree of penetration of the evanescent field into the droplet. The droplet position can be electrically changed; thus, controlling the optical power loss from the fiber. This approach has been used to demonstrate an optofluidic continuous-fiber VOA typically providing up to 26 dB of broadband attenuation in the 1550-nm transmission window, with a wavelength dependent loss less than 1.1 dB. In this paper, we present the theoretical modeling and experimental characterization of the system, discussing the influence of the design parameters on the performance of this VOA.
Switching from constant voltage to constant current in deep brain stimulation: a multicenter experience of mixed implants for movement disorders

For many years deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices relied only on voltage‐controlled stimulation (CV), but recently current‐controlled devices have been developed and approved for new implants as well as for replacement of CV devices after battery drain. Constant‐current (CC) stimulation has been demonstrated to be effective in new implanted parkinsonian and dystonic patients, but the effect of switching to CC therapy in patients chronically stimulated with CV implantable pulse generators (IPGs) has not been assessed. This report shows the results of a consecutive retrospective data collection performed at five Italian centers before and after replacement of constant‐voltage with constant‐current DBS devices, in order to verify the clinical efficacy and safety of this procedure.
The immunomodulator FTY720 interferes with effector functions of human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells

The potent immunomodulator FTY720 elicits immunosuppression via acting on sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptors (S1PR), thereby leading to an entrapment of lymphocytes in the secondary lymphoid tissue. To elucidate the potential in vitro effects of this drug on human monocyte‐derived DC, we used low nanomolar therapeutic concentrations of FTY720 and phosphorylated FTY720 (FTY720‐P) and investigated their influence on DC surface marker expression, protein levels of S1PR and DC effector functions: antigen uptake, chemotaxis, cytokine production, allostimulatory and Th‐priming capacity. We report that both FTY720 and FTY720‐P reduce chemotaxis of immature and mature DC. Mature DC generated in the presence of FTY720 or FTY720‐P showed an impaired immunostimmulatory capacity and reduced IL‐12 but increased IL‐10 production. T cells cultured in the presence of FTY720‐ or FTY720‐P‐treated DC showed an altered cytokine production profile indicating a shift from Th1 toward Th2 differentiation. In treated immature and mature DC, expression levels for two S1PR proteins, S1P1 and S1P4, were reduced. We conclude that in vitro treatment with FTY720 affects DC features that are essential for serving their role as antigen‐presenting cells. This might represent a new aspect of the overall immunosuppressive action of FTY720 and makes DC potential targets of further sphingolipid‐derived drugs.
Humanitarianism: the New Face of Neo-Colonialism

The era of new war was distinctly illuminated in global politics after the cold war ended. It essentially concerned on humanitarian dilemma to the extent that it has been a legitimate criteria for external actors to intervene domestic affair of other states. Contrarily, without such legitimacy, the action could be seen as an abuse to sovereignty and non-intervention principle. The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is a moral doctrine in charge of international community to intervene with the responsibility towards the basic right of citizens whenever the government fails to do so. Even though a moral purpose seems to be acceptable, but ‘behind the scene’ intentions are also persistently questionable. This paper aims to render a decision whether humanitarianism is a moral responsibility or a new face of neo-colonialism, predicating on Libya intervention in 2011.
Analysis of Homologs of Cry-toxin Receptor-Related Proteins in the Midgut of a Non-Bt Target, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Abstract The brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens is one of the most destructive insect pests in the rice fields of Asia. Like other hemipteran insects, BPH is not susceptible to Cry toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or transgenic rice carrying Bt cry genes. Lack of Cry receptors in the midgut is one of the main reasons that BPH is not susceptible to the Cry toxins. The main Cry-binding proteins (CBPs) of the susceptible insects are cadherin, aminopeptidase N (APN), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In this study, we analyzed and validated de novo assembled transcripts from transcriptome sequencing data of BPH to identify and characterize homologs of cadherin, APN, and ALP. We then compared the cadherin-, APN-, and ALP-like proteins of BPH to previously reported CBPs to identify their homologs in BPH. The sequence analysis revealed that at least one cadherin, one APN, and two ALPs of BPH contained homologous functional domains identified from the Cry-binding cadherin, APN, and ALP, respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction used to verify the expression level of each putative Cry receptor homolog in the BPH midgut indicated that the CBPs homologous APN and ALP were expressed at high or medium-high levels while the cadherin was expressed at a low level. These results suggest that homologs of CBPs exist in the midgut of BPH. However, differences in key motifs of CBPs, which are functional in interacting with Cry toxins, may be responsible for insusceptibility of BPH to Cry toxins.
Assessing radiology resident reporting skills.

PURPOSE To develop an Objective Structured Clinical Examination for assessing the reporting skills of radiology residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS The approach used in this study derives from performance-based assessment, that is, tests in which actual performance of a skill is observed and measured. For this task, 29 radiology residents and five faculty members (n = 34) independently dictated reports regarding a set of 20 cases with radiographs in 1 hour. The task was performed in a controlled environment. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance and tests for linear trends, with the expectation of increasing performance with increasing experience. RESULTS Significant relationships were observed between subjects' experience and the mean number of cases completed (F = 4.46, P =.006), the mean number of well-specified impressions (F = 5.84, P =.001), and the mean number of urgent or discrepant findings noted (F = 3.67, P =.015). Results also demonstrated a clear linear trend of increasing performance with increasing experience with each variable (P =.002, <.001, and.002, respectively, for t tests with polynomial contrasts). CONCLUSION The significant linear trends indicate that reporting skills increase with increasing experience in the program. This finding supports the validity of the measurement. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination provides a means of assessing radiology resident reporting skills.
Does ICT Usage Erode Routine Occupations at the Firm Level?

We show that disappearing routine work can be linked to firm‐level ICT usage. Our results for the increasing abstract and declining routine occupation shares of total wage bill are consistent with job polarization at the firm level. The observed changes coincide with the usage of ICT in firms. These results are based on decompositions and regression analyses that evaluate the hollowing‐out of routine occupations and job polarization at the firm level.
Surface Microflora of Four Smear-Ripened Cheeses

ABSTRACT The microbial composition of smear-ripened cheeses is not very clear. A total of 194 bacterial isolates and 187 yeast isolates from the surfaces of four Irish farmhouse smear-ripened cheeses were identified at the midpoint of ripening using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), repetitive sequence-based PCR, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for identifying and typing the bacteria and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP) analysis for identifying and typing the yeast. The yeast microflora was very uniform, and Debaryomyces hansenii was the dominant species in the four cheeses. Yarrowia lipolytica was also isolated in low numbers from one cheese. The bacteria were highly diverse, and 14 different species, Corynebacterium casei, Corynebacterium variabile, Arthrobacter arilaitensis, Arthrobacter sp. , Microbacterium gubbeenense, Agrococcus sp. nov., Brevibacterium linens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus equorum, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Micrococcus luteus, Halomonas venusta, Vibrio sp. , and Bacillus sp. , were identified on the four cheeses. Each cheese had a more or less unique microflora with four to nine species on its surface. However, two bacteria, C. casei and A. arilaitensis, were found on each cheese. Diversity at the strain level was also observed, based on the different PFGE patterns and mtDNA RFLP profiles of the dominant bacterial and yeast species. None of the ripening cultures deliberately inoculated onto the surface were reisolated from the cheeses. This study confirms the importance of the adventitious, resident microflora in the ripening of smear cheeses.
Acquisition of English comparative adjectives

Two experiments investigated the acquisition of English comparative adjective forms, Adj+er and more Adj. In Experiment 1, 72 children, four- and seven-years-old, indicated their preferences for the synthetic or periphrastic comparative form for 16 adjectives in a forced-choice judgement task; their responses were compared to those of a group of adults (Graziano-King, 2003). In Experiment 2, a group of 29 children, ranging in age from 5;1 to 10;9, and a group of 11 adults performed a forced-choice judgement task, similar to that of Experiment 1, and an elicited production task, responding to the same 32 adjectives for both tasks. The two studies together support an acquisition trajectory of three stages. In the first stage, children show no preference for either form of the comparative; in the second, they adopt a suffixation rule; and in the third, they abandon the general rule and become conservative learners, eventually reaching the adult target.
Homing at an extragenic locus mediated by VDE (PI‐SceI) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PI‐SceI (VDE), a homing endonuclease with protein splicing activity, is a genomic parasite in the VMA1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a heterozygous diploid of the VDE‐less VMA1 allele and a VDE‐containing VMA1 allele, VDE specifically cleaves its recognition sequence (VRS) in the VDE‐less VMA1 allele at meiosis, followed by ‘homing’, i.e. a conversion to a VDE‐containing allele. We found that upon VDE expression, homing of a marker gene at an extragenic locus occurs only when a 45 bp element containing the VRS is inserted at its allelic site, while mutants of VDE with no endonuclease activity lack authentic extragenic homing activity. Thus, both the VRS and VDE are required for homing. Insertion of the VRS in a homozygous diploid significantly lowered the spore germination ability, indicating that a template for gene repair at its allelic locus is essential for efficient homing and survival of yeast cells. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liver nuclear and microsomal CYP2E1-mediated metabolism of xenobiotics in rats chronically drinking an alcohol-containing liquid diet

In previous studies from our laboratory, the presence in highly purified liver nuclei of metabolic pathways for processing ethanol (EtOH), N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), carbon tetrachloride and chloroform was reported. All these chemicals are known to be metabolized in liver microsomes, via cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)-mediated processes. In the present work we checked whether rat liver nuclei from rats chronically drinking an alcohol-containing liquid diet exhibited an enhanced ability to metabolize chemicals known to require CYP2E1 participation for given metabolic transformations. The nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-requiring metabolism of p-nitrophenol to p-nitrocathecol; the activation of carbon tetrachloride to trichloromethyl radicals, covalently binding to proteins; and the ring hydroxylation of aniline and o-toluidine were studied. Comparison of the obtained nuclear activities against the one present in the microsomal counterpart, and their respective response to the EtOH inductive effect after repetitive exposure to it, was studied. The obtained results showed that rat liver nuclei exhibited less pnitrophenol hydroxylase activity than microsomes, but it was inducible by repetitive alcohol drinking to equivalent levels of those of microsomes from control animals. Nuclei exhibited the ability to activate CCl4, which was significantly enhanced by alcohol drinking. Aniline was ring hydroxylated in liver microsomes but not in nuclei from either control or EtOH-treated animals. In contrast, nuclei and microsomes metabolized o-toluidine to ring hydroxylated products. They are considered less toxic in nature but other authors reported a genotoxic effect for one of them. The production of the ring hydroxylated metabolites was enhanced by repetitive EtOH drinking. Results suggest that nuclear metabolism of xenobiotics might be relevant for either activations or detoxications mediated by CYP2E1 and that repetitive exposure to EtOH might significantly modulate those processes. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2006; 22: 367-374.
Telomerase activity in myelodysplastic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To study telomerase activity (TA) and its variation in bone marrow mononuclear cells from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at different stages in comparison with normal bone marrow cells and leukemic cells. METHODS The TA was semi-quantitatively determined in mononuclear cells from 20 normal bone marrow samples, 21 patients with MDS at different stages and 32 cases of acute leukemia by using a polymerase chain reaction-enzyme linked immuno-sorben assay (PCR-ELISA) kit. RESULTS The TA in normal bone marrow cells was in the range of 0 to 0.3 units (U) with a mean of 0.11 +/- 0.08 U. Among them, 3 samples were considered positive in accordance with the standard recommended by the kit's pamphlet. In bone marrow cells from patients with acute leukemia, the TA was ranging from 0 to 0.96 U with a mean value of 0.42 +/- 0.26 U. The positive rate was 78.1% which was significantly different from that in normal bone marrow (BM) (P < 0.01). In case of myelodysplastic syndrome, the average level of TA was 0.27 +/- 0.19 U (ranging from 0 to 0.97 U) with a positive rate of 66.7%. In comparison with normal BM cells, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Particularly, the MDS high-risk subgroup exhibited a significantly higher activity of telomerase (P < 0.05). In comparison with INT-1 and INT-2 subgroups in MDS patients based on international prognostic scoring system (IPPS), the difference in TA was also significant (P < 0.05). The abnormality in cell karyotype was not correlated with TA. CONCLUSION The normal bone marrow cells demonstrate TA at a marginal level while a remarkably increasing level may be seen in acute leukemia patients. The BM cells from MDS patients display a moderate TA among which the high risk MDS subgroup with a poor prognostic IPPS score exhibited markedly higher TA.
Feasibility of the GenoType MTBDRsl Assay for Fluoroquinolone, Amikacin-Capreomycin, and Ethambutol Resistance Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains and Clinical Specimens

ABSTRACT The new GenoType Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance second line (MTBDRsl) assay (Hain Lifescience, Nehren, Germany) was tested on 106 clinical isolates and directly on 64 sputum specimens for the ability to detect resistance to fluoroquinolones, injectable drugs (amikacin or capreomycin), and ethambutol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. A total of 63 strains harboring fluoroquinolone, amikacin/capreomycin, or ethambutol resistance and 43 fully susceptible strains were comparatively analyzed with the new MTBDRsl assay, by DNA sequencing, and by conventional drug susceptibility testing in liquid and solid media. No discrepancies were obtained in comparison with the DNA sequencing results. Fluoroquinolone resistance was detected in 29 (90.6%) of 32, amikacin/capreomycin resistance was detected in 39/39 (84.8%/86.7%) of 46/45, and ethambutol resistance was detected in 36 (69.2%) of 52 resistant strains. A total of 64 sputum specimens (42 smear positive, 12 scanty, and 10 smear negative) were tested with the new MTBDRsl assay, and the results were compared with those of conventional drug susceptibility testing. Fluoroquinolone resistance was detected in 8 (88.9%) of 9, amikacin/capreomycin resistance was detected in 6/7 (75.0%/87.5%) of 8, and ethambutol resistance was detected in 10 (38.5%) of 26 resistant strains. No mutation was detected in susceptible strains. The new GenoType MTBDRsl assay represents a reliable tool for the detection of fluoroquinolone and amikacin/capreomycin resistance and to a lesser extent also ethambutol resistance. In combination with a molecular test for detection of rifampin and isoniazid resistance, the potential for the detection of extensively resistant tuberculosis within 1 to 2 days can be postulated.
Expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme in remaining viable myocytes of human ventricles after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Local ACE in the heart may be important in the pathophysiological state after myocardial infarction (MI). It is unknown, however, whether ACE is expressed in myocytes of the human heart. METHODS AND RESULTS Using a newly generated polyclonal antibody to a synthetic peptide corresponding to part of the human endothelial ACE sequence, we examined the localization of ACE in left ventricles of patients (n = 10) with MI obtained at left ventricular aneurysmectomy or autopsy and in the hearts of control subjects at autopsy (n = 10). The avidinbiotinylated peroxidase complex method was used for the immunohistochemical staining for ACE. In the left ventricles, positively stained myocytes for ACE were found in 8 of the 10 patients with MI. ACE immunoreactivity was seen in the remaining viable myocytes located near the infarct scar of the aneurysmal left ventricle and in nonmyocytes such as fibroblasts, macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells within the scarred tissue. On the other hand, no immunoreactivity for ACE was detected in the ventricular myocytes of all control hearts obtained at autopsy. CONCLUSIONS We observe immunohistochemical staining for ACE in the left ventricular myocytes of the region adjacent to the infarct scar and in nonmyocytes. These results indicate that ACE is markedly increased on the edge of the infarct scar and suggest that local ACE may be important in the ventricular remodeling after MI.
Detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A computationally efficient algorithm for use in a wearable telemedical system

For early detection of the sporadic events of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), long-term ECG monitoring and data evaluation are required. To allow energy-efficient on-device preprocessing of the data, an as simple as possible algorithm is sought. The proposed approach is based on heart frequency data only and makes use of the increased heart rate variation with the occurrence of AF. Criteria for the choice of the free parameters of this method are derived, and it is shown that, under these conditions, results are insensitive against variations of these parameters. If a compromise between sensitivity and specificity is sought, i. e. equality of these values, 89, 4% are obtained in average. If instead sensitivity alone is optimized, i. e. for use with additional AF detection strategies, an average value of 99.6% is reached with specificity 38.4%. The algorithm forms the first step in the development of a computationally and thus energy efficient signal processing module for the purpose of reducing the amount of data that has to be stored or transmitted and then evaluated by the treating physician.
Performance enhancement of neural network training using hybrid data division technique for photovoltaic power prediction

The data available for training, testing and validation of a neural network defines the efficiency or performance of the network. This research work compares the data division techniques like random division, Self-Organizing Maps, fuzzy c means and K-means to predict power output of a solar panel under loss conditions. The data used is obtained from a series of experiments on a soiled panel. Finally, a new data division technique for designing neural networks in PV module output prediction is proposed and its efficiency is compared with other discussed data division techniques. The proposed data division technique helps in building a better neural network model with comparatively less data available.
Physiological and biochemical response of freshwater cryptomonads (Cryptophyceae) to Fe deficiency

Cryptomonads show strong seasonal distribution in lakes yet little is known of their nutrient requirements. In this study, we examined the role of Fe nutrition in the growth and photosynthetic properties of two freshwater cryptomonads (Cryptomonas sp. UTCC 337 and C. erosa UTCC 446). Cryptomonas sp. appeared more tolerant to Fe deprivation compared with C. erosa. Growth rates calculated for Cryptomonas sp. provided 100 nM and 1 000 nM Fe did not vary (0.55 d–1). Only cultures provided 10 nM Fe displayed significantly lower rates of growth (0.26 d–1) and lower cellular yields of chlorophyll. In contrast, cultures of C. erosa provided 10 nM Fe failed to grow, whereas cultures provided 100 nM Fe exhibited a reduced rate of growth (30% reduction) and lower yields of cellular chlorophyll (19% reduction) compared to high Fe (1 000 nM) cultures. Photochemical competency, assessed by measuring DCMU‐enhanced fluorescence, was high for cells of Cryptomonas sp. regardless of the level of Fe provided (Fv/Fm > 0.7). In contrast, photochemical competency was considerably reduced (Fv/Fm = 0.46) for C. erosa provided 100 nM Fe. Consistent with this, levels of the Fe‐containing electron transfer catalyst ferredoxin were reduced by 2.5 times in C. erosa provided 100 nM Fe compared to Fe‐replete cells. By comparison, ferredoxin levels varied only slightly in cells of Cryptomonas sp. provided either 100 nM or 1 000 nM Fe.