Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optofluidic Photonic Crystal Fiber Coupler for Measuring the Refractive Index of Liquids

We report a novel optical sensing device capable of measuring the refractive index of liquids based on evanescent field coupling between a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) that is side-polished and coupled to a side-polished single-mode fiber (SMF). The PCF is used for liquid analyte transport, while the SMF is used for light ingress and egress. The optical coupling efficiency in this device is sensitive to the refractive index of the PCF which varies with the presence of analytes in the holes of the PCF. The fabrication process of the coupler and its performance as a refractive-index sensor are presented. Due to its compact size and features for interactions between the light and the analyte, the sensor can operate as a highly responsive optofluidic device. The results show that this kind of sensing device provides a promising platform for refractive index measurements with an estimated accuracy of 10-5 refractive index unit.
Clinicopathologic characteristics of malignant mesotheliomas arising in patients with a history of radiation for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

PURPOSE Studies have reported an association between pleural diffuse malignant mesothelioma (PDMM) and chest radiation for lymphoma. The clinicopathologic characteristics of malignant mesotheliomas arising in these patients have not been established. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 1,618 consecutive patients diagnosed with pleural PDMM from July 1993 to February 2008 and identified patients with a history of radiation for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We evaluated the histology in the surgical resection specimens and compared clinicopathologic features with overall survival. RESULTS We identified 22 patients who developed PDMM after chest radiation as part of their treatment for lymphoma (mean latency time, 21.4 years; 95% CI, 17.0 to 25.8 years). Asbestos bodies in lymphoma-associated PDMM were lower than in asbestos-associated PDMM (median count, 15 v 325 bodies, respectively; P < .001) and similar to an unexposed control group (median count, 15 v 10 bodies, respectively; P = .6). Seventeen lymphoma-associated PDMMs (77%) were epithelioid and five (23%) were biphasic. Seven PDMMs (32%) had unusual histologies (pleomorphic, myxoid, clear cell, and signet ring cell). Patients with lymphoma-associated PDMM were younger than patients with asbestos-associated PDMM (median age, 45 v 64 years, respectively; P < .001) and had a significantly longer overall survival time (median, 32.5 v 12.7 months, respectively; P = .018). In multivariate analysis, independent favorable predictors for overall survival were history of prior radiation (P = .022), female sex (P < .001), age ≤ 65 years (P = .005), cytoreductive surgery (P < .001), and epithelioid histology (P < .001). CONCLUSION Patients with lymphoma-associated PDMM are likely to have unusual histologic features, are significantly younger, and seem to have a longer overall survival compared with patients with asbestos-associated PDMM.
Neural networks-based adaptive robust control of crawler-type mobile manipulators using sliding mode approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the radial basis function (RBF) networks‐based adaptive robust control for an omni‐directional wheeled mobile manipulator in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances.Design/methodology/approach – First, a dynamic model is obtained based on the practical omni‐directional wheeled mobile manipulator system. Second, the RBF neural network is used to identify the unstructured system dynamics directly due to its ability to approximate a nonlinear continuous function to arbitrary accuracy. Using the learning ability of neural networks, RBFNARC can co‐ordinately control the omni‐directional mobile platform and the mounted manipulator with different dynamics efficiently. The implementation of the control algorithm is dependent on the sliding mode control.Findings – Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, the stability of the whole control system, the boundedness of the neural networks weight estimation errors, and the uniformly ultimate boundedness of the tra.
Identification and Expression Analysis of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors cDNA in a Reptile, the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

Abstract Despite the physiological and evolutionary significance of lipid metabolism in amniotes, the molecular mechanisms involved have been unclear in reptiles. To elucidate this, we investigated peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARs) in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). PPARs belong to a nuclear hormone-receptor family mainly involved in lipid metabolism. Although PPARs have been widely studied in mammals, little information about them is yet available from reptiles. We identified in the leopard gecko partial cDNA sequences of PPARα and β, and full sequences of two isoforms of PPARγ. This is the first report of reptilian PPARγ mRNA isoforms. We also evaluated the organ distribution of expression of these genes by using RT-PCR and competitive PCR. The expression level of PPARα mRNA was highest in the large intestine, and moderate in the liver and kidney. The expression level of PPARβ mRNA was highest in the kidney and large intestine, and moderate in the liver. Similarly to the expression of human PPARγ isoforms, PPARγa was expressed ubiquitously, whereas the expression of PPARγb was restricted. The highest levels of their expression, however, were observed in the large intestine, rather than in the adipose tissue as in mammals. Taken together, these results showed that the profile of PPARβ mRNA expression in the leopard gecko is similar to that in mammals, and that those of PPAR α and γ are species specific. This may reflect adaptation to annual changes in lipid storage due to seasonal food availability.
Atomoxetine for depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson disease

Objectives: Depression and antidepressant use, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are common in Parkinson disease (PD). The objective of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of atomoxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), for the treatment of clinically significant depressive symptoms and common comorbid neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD. Methods: A total of 55 subjects with PD and an Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology–Clinician (IDS-C) score ≥22 were randomized to 8 weeks of atomoxetine or placebo treatment (target dosage = 80 mg/day). Depression response (>50% decrease in IDS-C score or Clinical Global Impression–Improvement [CGI-I] score of 1 or 2) was assessed using intention-to-treat modeling procedures. Secondary outcomes included global cognition, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, apathy, and motor function. Results: There were no between-groups differences in a priori–defined response rates. Using a more liberal response criterion of >40% decrease in IDS score from baseline, there was a trend (p = 0.08) favoring atomoxetine. Patients receiving atomoxetine experienced significantly greater improvement in global cognition (p = 0.003) and daytime sleepiness (p = 0.001), and atomoxetine was well-tolerated. Conclusions: Atomoxetine treatment was not efficacious for the treatment of clinically significant depressive symptoms in PD, but was associated with improvement in global cognitive performance and daytime sleepiness. Larger studies of SNRIs in PD for disorders of mood, cognition, and wakefulness are appropriate. Classification of evidence: This interventional study provides Class II evidence that atomoxetine (target dosage = 80 mg/day) is not efficacious in improving clinically significant depression in PD.
Biogenesis of the Semliki Forest Virus RNA Replication Complex

ABSTRACT The nonstructural (ns) proteins nsP1 to -4, the components of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) RNA polymerase, were localized in infected cells by confocal microscopy using double labeling with specific antisera against the individual ns proteins. All ns proteins were associated with large cytoplasmic vacuoles (CPV), the inner surfaces of which were covered by small invaginations, or spherules, typical of alphavirus infection. All ns proteins were localized by immuno-electron microscopy (EM) to the limiting membranes of CPV and to the spherules, together with newly labeled viral RNA. Along with earlier observations by EM-autoradiography (P. M. Grimley, I. K. Berezesky, and R. M. Friedman, J. Virol. 2:326–338, 1968), these results suggest that individual spherules represent template-associated RNA polymerase complexes. Immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled ns proteins showed that each antiserum precipitated the other three ns proteins, implying that they functioned as a complex. Double labeling with organelle-specific and anti-ns-protein antisera showed that CPV were derivatives of late endosomes and lysosomes. Indeed, CPV frequently contained endocytosed bovine serum albumin-coated gold particles, introduced into the medium at different times after infection. With time, increasing numbers of spherules were also observed on the cell surfaces; they were occasionally released into the medium, probably by secretory lysosomes. We suggest that the spherules arise by primary assembly of the RNA replication complexes at the plasma membrane, guided there by nsP1, which has affinity to lipids specific for the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane. Endosomal recycling and fusion of CPV with the plasma membrane can circulate spherules between the plasma membrane and the endosomal-lysosomal compartment.
Emergency medical services and sudden cardiac arrest: the "chain of survival" concept.

Early access to the EMS system helps insure early CPR, defibrillation, and advanced care. Early access is easiest to achieve with 911 systems and widespread community education and publicity. It may also be taught during citizen-CPR classes. Early CPR helps patients by slowing the process of dying, but its effectiveness disappears within minutes, and defibrillation must soon follow. A citizenry well-informed about cardiac emergencies and well-trained in CPR appears to be the best method to achieve early recognition and early CPR. The earliest possible delivery of defibrillation is critical and, almost by itself, sufficient for many sudden death cases. It has, therefore, emerged as the single most effective intervention for patients in nontraumatic cardiac arrest. Automated external defibrillators help accomplish this goal and now permit widespread implementation of a variety of early defibrillation programs. Early advanced care helps those who do not immediately convert to an organized cardiac activity or who do not achieve a spontaneous circulation following early defibrillation. Advanced care allows a system to approach its highest possible survival rate by respiratory and anti-arrhythmic stabilization and monitoring of patients in the post-resuscitation period. At present, early CPR and rapid defibrillation, combined with early advanced care, can result in long-term survival rates as high as 30% for witnessed VF. Because neurological and psychological recovery from cardiac arrest are tied to the time within which these critical interdependent treatment modalities are delivered (1, 87), high resuscitation rates will also lead to a high percentage of patients who recover to their pre-arrest neurologic level. The public health challenge is to develop programs that will allow recognition, access, bystander-CPR, defibrillation, and advanced care to be delivered as quickly as possible, ideally within moments of the collapse of a sudden death victim. Achievement of such a goal requires the deployment of multiple properly directed programs within an EMS system; each program lends strength to the chain of survival, thereby enhancing successful recovery and long-term survival. What benefits would occur if a majority of EMS systems in the United States could establish cost-effective programs with respectable survival rates? The AHA estimates that full implementation of potential life-saving mechanisms in the community may save 10,000-100,000 lives each year in the US (2). If the maximum survival rate for all nontraumatic cardiac arrests in mature EMS systems is about 20% (33) among the annual 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, 80,000 persons would be saved (33). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Genetic diversity of androdioecious Osmanthus fragrans (Oleaceae) cultivars using microsatellite markers

Premise of the study: For cultivar classification, identification, and genetic improvement, microsatellite markers were developed to analyze the genetic diversity of androdioecious Osmanthus fragrans cultivars. Methods and Results: Fifteen microsatellite markers were developed from sequences downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, which included two with null alleles. These primers were screened on 62 typical androdioecious O. fragrans cultivars belonging to four groups (Asiaticus, Albus, Luteus, and Aurantiacus). The number of alleles ranged from two to six, with a mean of 3.7 per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.1000 to 0.9091 and from 0.1287 to 0.9167, respectively. Results from structure analyses indicated that Asiaticus and Albus were genetically mixed, and Luteus and Aurantiacus were partially genetically differentiated. Conclusions: These markers will be useful for genetic study of androdioecious O. fragrans cultivars and facilitate cultivar classification, particularly for the cultivar groups Luteus and Aurantiacus.
Virtual classroom for deaf people

e-Learning an unconventional entrance to this era of technology, where disabled people must not be spaced out from using and taking the advantages of this technology. This new technology touches the daily life of people by direct and indirect ways and keeping them far from this technology leads to scarcity in skills and knowledge that will definitely affect their life. People having disabilities, for learning the skills and Specific lectures must not wait and should consult and learn through e-Learning. People having disabilities or learning difficulties and their needs are rarely considered in building e-Learning systems. Disabled people often ample scope of acquiring skills. The paper presents a virtual classroom for Deaf people which provides scope of learning through bilingual method. The proposed system provides many learning facilities for its users and supports many tasks which would help the users to learn and also provides security to the data by providing access to authorized people only. The system also represents a mixing of the interactive & public tools jointly with conversion to sign languages which increases the usability and interactivity within virtual learning environment for disabled users.
Visualizing Ensembles of Viscous Fingers

This paper presents a topological data analysis framework based on persistent homology and Morse complexes for the visualization and analysis of ensemble data-sets representing viscous fingers. Our approach quantitatively corroborates the classical description of viscous fingers. A systematic analysis across several data resolutions indicates converging statistics as the resolution increases.
CD 40 Expression by Human Monocytes : Regulation by Cytokines and Activation of Monocytes by the Ligand for CD 40

CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family of cell surface proteins and was originally described as a B cell restricted antigen. Treatment of primary human monocytes with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), or interferon 3' (IFN-3') resulted in the induction of CD40 mRNA and enhancement of cell surface protein expression. CD40 was found to mediate monocyte adhesion to cells expressing recombinant CD40 ligand. CD40 ligand-transfected cells provided a potent costimulus for monocyte TNF-ot and IL-6 production in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-3, or IFN-3', and enhanced IL-8 production stimulated by GM-CSF or IL-3. In addition, CD40 ligand-transfected cells acting in the absence of a costimulus induced monocytes to become tumoricidal against a human mdanoma cell target. Collectively, these data indicate that CD40 ligand is pleiotropic with potent biological activity on monocytes.
A wideband linearisation technique for non&#8211;linear oscillators using a multi&#8211;stage polyphase filter

This paper presents a wideband technique to suppress the 3rd, 7th, 11th. order harmonic signal components of non-linear quadrature oscillator signals. To accomplish this, a polyphase filter is used. The fundamental signal passes through, while the (4.i-1)th harmonics are filtered out. Based on complex signal theory, this filtering operation is mathematically derived. The theory has been proven by CMOS implementation of a digital oscillator, a polyphase filter and direct up-conversion mixers, resulting in a broadband transmitter. The measurements clearly show the suppression by the complex filter. For the suppression of the fifth order harmonic, an optimisation method using waveform construction is suggested.
Prevalence of Eikenella corrodens in dental plaque

The prevalence of Eikenella corrodens in dental plaque and saliva samples of 282 volunteers was determined by a semiquantitative method with a selective medium. E. corrodens was recovered in 58.9% of plaque samples and 0.3% of saliva samples. This prevalence rate was not significantly altered (P greater than 0.05) by variables of sex, race, smoking habits, clinic attended by the patient, general health status, or age; however, patients 7 to 14 years old had a significantly higher prevalence rate (90.5%; P less than 0.05). E. corrodens should be considered as a potential pathogen in infections associated with and wounds inoculated by the human gingival flora.
Reducing nutritional risk in hospital: the red tray.

Background Malnutrition in hospital is too common. During the patient's stay, many factors influence their nutritional state. Several reports have drawn attention to the removal of patients' food before they have had an opportunity to eat it ( ACHC 1997 , Horan and Coad 2000 ). A lack of assistance at meal times can also be a factor. This article describes the introduction of a simple innovation that has concentrated attention on patient nutrition in one clinical setting. Red trays were used as a visible indicator of vulnerable patients who needed help and support from all staff. The system was part of a total strategy implemented in a trauma rehabilitation unit for mainly older adults. Conclusion The results of an audit undertaken one month after implementation of the red trays showed that use of the system had transformed nutritional assessment from a paper exercise to a practical tool that enabled patients at risk to be identified and supported with their meals.
Inferior visual field reductions are associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma

Citation information: Black AA, Wood JM & Lovie‐Kitchin JE. Inferior visual field reductions are associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 283–291. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010. 00811.x
Exécution symbolique pour le test de conformité et le test de raffinement

Les travaux presentes dans cette these se situent dans le cadre du domaine du test des systemes reactifs. Nous avons applique la technique d'analyse de l'execution symbolique pour le test de conformite et le test de raffinement. Les systemes etudies sont modelises par des IOSTS. Pour verifier la conformite entre une implantation et sa specification d'origine, nous avons propose un algorithme d'execution symbolique de la specification. Quatre verdicts sont emis : PASS, FAIL, INCONC et WeakPASS. Nous nous sommes aussi interesses aux moyens pour verifier qu'une specification concrete raffine correctement une specification abstraite. Nous avons propose un algorithme de verification qui selectionne des traces observables a partir de la specification abstraite et sont executees sur le systeme concret. Notre algorithme mene a un verdict statuant sur la correction de la relation de raffinement.
Mapping the Internet

How can you determine what the Internet or even an intranet looks like? The answer is, of course, to draw it on screen. Once you can see the data succinctly, it becomes much easier to understand. The drawing itself can help locate bottlenecks and possible points of failure. Where is that newly acquired subsidiary connected? Which business units have connections to business partners? More important, visual displays of networks have another dimension-color. Color is an easy way to display link use, status, ownership, and network changes.
La retórica del objeto: las partes retóricas como modelo para generar significados

Los objetos, como vehiculos de valores sociales, tienen una finalidad claramente persuasiva. Por ello, puede aplicarse a su analisis un metodo retorico centrado en las operaciones retoricas. Estas permiten considerar el texto persuasivo como una estructura dividida en diferentes niveles. En este texto, se analizan que aspectos se encuentran en cada una de estas partes y como influyen en la persuasion.
Design and preliminary results of a prototype HTS SMES device

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has developed the design for a 20 kJ high transition temperature Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) device, and constructed a nominally 2.5 kJ prototype. The coil for the prototype was wound using High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) BSCCO-2223 tape. It was refrigerated to 20 K using a gaseous helium cold head cryocooler. The SMES device has been constructed as a prototype for a larger commercially realizable system, and hence is capable of supplying a 3-phase load during voltage sags or short (<1 s) power interruptions. This paper discusses the modeling and design of the electromagnetic and thermal aspects of the coil, the Power Control Circuit (PCC), current leads and cryogenic system. Also presented are preliminary results of the SMES coil, cryogenics, and system energy storage and delivery capabilities.
Sol-gel coated glass cells for spin-exchange polarized 3He

We have developed a high-purity sol-gel coating for the interior surface of glass cells used for polarizing 3He by spin-exchange optical pumping. The coating is designed to minimize spin relaxation due to wall collisions. A longitudinal spin-relaxation time T1 in a sol-gel coated Pyrex cell of 344±8 h was achieved, the longest T1 we have ever recorded for a gaseous sample. Repeated trials indicated that the coating was quite robust. Results using an uncoated Pyrex cell were also quite good, although inferior to the performance of the coated cell.We have developed a high-purity sol-gel coating for the interior surface of glass cells used for polarizing 3He by spin-exchange optical pumping. The coating is designed to minimize spin relaxation due to wall collisions. A longitudinal spin-relaxation time T1 in a sol-gel coated Pyrex cell of 344±8 h was achieved, the longest T1 we have ever recorded for a gaseous sample. Repeated trials indicated that the coating was quite robust. Results using an uncoated Pyrex cell were also quite good, although inferior to the performance of the coated cell.