Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
I/O System for A 77/154-GHz, 0.5-MW Dual Regime Gyrotron

This paper contributes to the design of a common input/output (I/O) system to support a dual regime gyrotron operation. I/O system comprises of different subassemblies such as magnetron injection gun (MIG), quasi-optical launcher, and RF window. The operating frequencies selected are 77/154 GHz with the desired mode-pair TE15,4/TE28,8, respectively. The necessary selection criteria of such unified design for these subassemblies has been briefly discussed. The initial design parameters have been selected using our in-house code Gyrotron Design Suite version 3.0 2014 (GDSv3.0 2014). Final optimization of MIG to generate electron beam with proper parameters to support the maximum power transfer has been carried out using a particle trajectory code ESRAY. A dimpled wall, helical cut launcher has been designed to convert the complex higher order modes to a simple Gaussian-like beam and has been optimized with a commercial software launcher optimization tool. The design and optimization of RF window has been done using GDSv3.0, which will allow the chosen frequency beam to be extracted out from the gyrotron.
Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate differently the cutaneous innate immunity

Acne is a chronic inflammatory illness of the pilosebaceous follicle where innate immunity plays a central role. In acne, the density of Propionibacterium acnes is increased in the pilosebaceous unit. We hypothesized that the severity of acne is not only dependent on the proliferation of P. acnes but also dependent on the pro‐inflammatory potential of P. acnes strains and consequently constitutes potential triggering factor for acne scarring. We investigated pro‐inflammatory potential of five different strains of P. acnes and P. avidum in skin explants and the preventive effect of zinc gluconate. The expression of immune markers was studied by immunohistochemistry, RT‐qPCR and ELISA. P. acnes strains modulate differently the expression of immune markers both at gene and at protein levels. P. acnes type III had the highest pro‐inflammatory potential by up‐regulating the expression of PAR‐2, TNF‐alpha, MMP‐13 and TIMP‐2, whereas P. avidum had the weakest by up‐regulating only MMP‐13 and TIMP‐2. Preincubation of zinc gluconate, which is a modulator of innate immunity, down‐regulates the expression of most immune markers induced by P. acnes, PAR‐2, TIMP‐2, up‐regulates MMP‐1, TIMP‐1. Our results demonstrate that different P. acnes strains have different inflammatory potential targeting markers of cutaneous innate immunity, and that inflammatory potential can be down‐regulated by zinc gluconate. As such, the inflammatory potential of P. acnes strains on acne skin may influence the severity of inflammatory acne lesions and scars.
Cross-Talk between Estrogen Receptor and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize estrogen receptor expression and signaling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and patient tissues, and to evaluate estrogen receptor and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) cross-activation in HNSCC. Experimental Design: Estrogen receptor expression and signaling in HNSCC cell lines were assessed by immunoblotting. In vitro proliferation and invasion were evaluated in HNSCC cell lines in response to estrogen receptor and EGFR ligands or inhibitors. Estrogen receptor and EGFR protein expression in patient tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Phospho–mitogen-activated protein kinase (P-MAPK) levels were significantly increased following combined estrogen and EGF treatment. Treatment of HNSCC cells with estrogen and EGF significantly increased cell invasion compared with either treatment alone, whereas inhibiting these two pathways resulted in reduced invasion compared with inhibiting either pathway alone. EGFR (P = 0.008) and nuclear estrogen receptor α (ERαnuc; P < 0.001) levels were significantly increased in HNSCC tumors (n = 56) compared with adjacent mucosa (n = 30), whereas nuclear estrogen receptor β (ERβnuc) levels did not differ (P = 0.67). Patients with high ERαnuc and EGFR tumor levels had significantly reduced progression-free survival compared with patients with low tumor ERαnuc and EGFR levels (hazards ratio, 4.09; P = 0.01; Cox proportional hazards). In contrast, high ERβnuc tumor levels were not associated with reduced progression-free survival alone or when combined with EGFR. Conclusions: ERα and ERβ were expressed in HNSCC, and stimulation with estrogen receptor ligands resulted in both cytoplasmic signal transduction and transcriptional activation. Estrogen receptor and EGFR cross-talk was observed. Collectively, these studies indicate that estrogen receptor and EGFR together may contribute to HNSCC development and disease progression. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(21):6529–40)
Pragmatics and negative sentence processing

Negation is a universal phenomenon in human communication. All natural languages have negation, yet it seems to be absent in animal communication systems (S Altmann, 1967). We use negation frequently for a wide range of purposes, including rejection, denial and talking about non-existence. According to the Oxford English Corpus, “not” is the 13 most frequently used word in the English language. If we look at the combined frequency of “not” and “no”, negation is in the top 10 list. Negation enables us to entertain the truth value of a proposition, which is one of the central aspects of language use (Kant, 1787). It has long been of interest to logicians and philosophers, and relatively recently of psycholinguists and pragmatists. In terms of the processing of negation, psycholinguistics studies have shown two effects that call for an explanation: the first is the asymmetry between its frequent use in natural language and its apparent processing costs often reported in psycholinguistics studies; the second is the finding that in early stages of processing, negation seems to be ignored and attention seems to be focused on its positive argument. In terms of pragmatic functions, it’s been shown that despite its simple semantic meaning, negation interacts with context to produce rich pragmatic effects. Both negation processing and its pragmatic functions present puzzles that cannot be explained by its semantic function.
How should we inform patients about antidepressants? A study comparing verbal and written information

Objective. To compare the efficacy of verbal, written and, combined verbal and written information about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with depression. Method. Patients with a diagnosis of major depression who were prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (n=104) were randomly allocated to verbal (n=34, 18F 16M), written (n=38, 19F 19 M) and verbal and written information (n=32, 18F 14M) groups, the content of the verbal and written information being exactly the same. Beck depression inventory was used to evaluate the depressive symptoms. Patients were called back after 10–14 days and their retention of the knowledge was measured. Results. The total retention scores of the verbal group, written group and the combined written and verbal group were 12.85±2.19, 7.39±2.85, and 13.19±2.12, respectively. The total scores of the verbal and the combined verbal and written information groups were significantly higher than those of the written group. The information scores had a significant positive correlation with education level. Conclusion. The retention of verbal information given to patients with low levels of depression concerning the effects and side effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors is higher than written information. Further studies with more severely depressed patients, comparing the basal information level and the information level after the intervention and the effect of information on compliance are needed.
The influence of the pulse width on the nonlinear refractive index of organic solvents

There are materials which their nonlinear refractive index (n2) have contributions from fast isotropic and slow reorientational effects. Due to the presence of the slow noninstantaneous effect, the magnitude of the effective nonlinear refractive index (n2, eff) depends of the pulse width (τ). Here, we propose to measured the n2eff of several organic solvents as a function of pulse width and from these data extract information about the fast and the slow nonlinearities, including magnitudes and response times (τ0). We have used an accurate and single beam nonlinear ellipse rotation (NER) measurement to measure the third-order nonlinear susceptibility, B=6x1221 [1, 2], which is proportional to n2. The NER signal is a nonlinear refractive effect, which is observed when an intense elliptical polarized beam propagates through a medium.
Real-time Distracted Driver Posture Classification

In this paper, we present a new dataset for "distracted driver" posture estimation. In addition, we propose a novel system that achieves 95.98% driving posture estimation classification accuracy. The system consists of a genetically-weighted ensemble of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). We show that a weighted ensemble of classifiers using a genetic algorithm yields in better classification confidence. We also study the effect of different visual elements (i.e. hands and face) in distraction detection and classification by means of face and hand localizations. Finally, we present a thinned version of our ensemble that could achieve a 94.29% classification accuracy and operate in a realtime environment.
Polysilicon surface-micromachined spatial light modulator with novel electronic integration

This paper presents a high-speed resolution phase-only microelectromechanical system (MEMS) spatial light modulator (SLM), integrated with driver electronics, using through- wafer vias and solder bump bonding. It employs a polysilicon thin film MEMS technology that is well suited to micromirror array fabrication and offers significant improvement in SLM speed in comparison to alternative modulator technologies. Vertical through-wafer interconnections offer scalability required to achieve 1M-pixel array size. The design, development, fabrication and characterization of a scalable driver integrated SLM is discussed. Pixel opto- electromechanical performance has been quantified experimentally on prototypes, and results are reported.
Series-Fed Beam-Scanning Antenna Employing Multi-Stage Configured Microstrip Antennas with Tunable Reactance Devices

A series-fed beam-scanning array employing a MUlti-Stage Configured microstrip Antenna with Tunable reactance devices (MUSCAT) is proposed. The proposed antenna significantly expands the beam scanning range and achieves high efficiency. This antenna comprises unit element groups, whose elements are placed close to each other and employ tunable reactance devices. Analyses and experiments on the unit element groups show that their multi-stage configuration extends the phase shift range and increases the radiation efficiency, e.g., a 120° phase shift and the radiation efficiency of more than 50% are achieved, when three stages are employed. The radiation pattern of the fabricated MUSCAT array antenna comprising eight unit element groups is measured. A beam scanning range of 27°, which is greater than twice the beam scanning range of a non-multi-stage configuration, is achieved.
1 H , 13 C , and 15 N resonance assignments of NmtR , a Ni ( II ) / Co ( II ) metalloregulatory protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

NmtR is a Ni(II)/Co(II)-specific repressor expressed in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which regulates the transcription of a membrane transporter proposed to mediate cytoplasmic Ni(II)/Co(II) efflux. Here we report the backbone and side chain resonance assignments of the apo-NmtR and the backbone assignments of Ni(II)-bound
Four strains of spontaneously hyperlipidemic (SHL) mice: phenotypic distinctions determined by genetic backgrounds.

Spontaneously hyperlipidemic (SHL) mice are Japanese wild mice (KOR) with disruption of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene. These mice (KOR-Apoe(shl)) are superhypercholesterolemic and develop severe xanthoma, but their atherosclerosis is relatively mild compared with Apo E knockout mice. First, we tested whether this distinction is due to additional mutation of the Apoc1 and/or Apoc2 genes in KOR-Apoe(shl). Southern blot analysis, but found no gross disruption of these genes. Next, we tested whether the phenotypic distinction is due to differences in the genetic background. To this end, we established three lines of congenic SHL mice with a genetic background of C57BL/6, BALB/c or C3H/He, and named them, respectively, C57BL/6.KOR-Apoe(shl) (B6.KOR-Apoe(shl)), BALB/c.KOR-Apoe(shl) (C.KOR-Apoe(shl)) and C3H/He.KOR-Apoe(shl) (C3.KOR-Apoe(shl)). Hypercholesterolemia was most severe in KOR-Apoe(shl) followed the by others as follows; KOR-Apoe(shl)>>C3.KOR-Apoe(shl)>C.KOR-Apoe(shl)>B6.KOR-Apoe(shl). In contrast, atherosclerosis was most severe in B6.KOR Apoe(shl) followed by the others: B6.KOR-Apoe(shl)>C.KOR-Apoe(shl)>>C3.KOR-Apoe(shl)> or =KOR-Apoe(shl). This order, however, did not match that in xanthoma, which was highly prominent in KOR-Apoe(shl) but mild in B6.KOR-Apoe(shl), C.KOR-Apoe(shl) and C3.KORApoe(shl). This order, however, did not match that in xanthoma, which was highly prominant in KOR-Apoe(shl) but mild in B6.KOR-Apoe(shl), C.KOR-Apoe(shl) and C3.KOR-Apoe(shl). These distinctions suggest that the severity of each of the phenotypes is determined by distinct genetic backgrounds which probably are composed of polymorphism of lipid metabolism-related proteins. We found that apolipoprotein A-I is decreased in each SHL strain and polymorphic between B6.KOR-Apoe(shl) and the other strains examined. This polymorphism may be related to the most severe atherosclerosis observed in B6.KOR-Apoe(shl). It is most likely that combination of such polymorphisms is due to the genetic background accountable for phenotype distinctions.
Talking Agents: A distributed architecture for interactive artistic installations

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence imply challenges and opportunities to explore new kinds of artistic experiences in interaction with the spectator of an artistic installation. In this context, a wide range of elements, such as sensors and speech recognition and synthesis, has been considered to establish an intelligent environment with an artistic purpose. The coordination of these elements to create an interactive environment where the spectator may feel faced with some kind of human-like behavior (the use of speech contributes to this goal) requires the integration of different Artificial Intelligence techniques. The definition of Talking Agents as reusable components for managing coordination of this diversity of elements and the interaction with the spectator facilitates building and setting different artistic scenarios. This paper describes the architecture of Talking Agents and their implementation in a multi-agent framework. This has been used in an experiment with an artistic installation called ORACULOS, and the results have been the basis for considering the evolution and application of the Talking Agent architecture in Ambient Assisted Living scenarios.
ESAT-6-specific CD4 T cell responses to aerosol Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are initiated in the mediastinal lymph nodes

CD4+ T cell responses to aerosol Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection are characterized by the relatively delayed appearance of effector T cells in the lungs. This delay in the adaptive response is likely critical in allowing the bacteria to establish persistent infection. Because of limitations associated with the detection of low frequencies of naïve T cells, it had not been possible to precisely determine when and where naïve antigen-specific T cells are first activated. We have addressed this problem by using early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6)-specific transgenic CD4 T cells to monitor early T cell activation in vivo. By using an adoptive transfer approach, we directly show that T cell priming to ESAT-6 occurs only after 10 days of infection, is initially restricted to the mediastinal lymph nodes, and does not involve other lymph nodes or the lungs. Primed CD4 T cells rapidly differentiated into proliferating effector cells and ultimately acquired the ability to produce IFN-γ and TNF-α ex vivo. Initiation of T cell priming was enhanced by two full days depending on the magnitude of the challenge inoculum, which suggests that antigen availability is a factor limiting the early CD4 T cell response. These data define a key period in the adaptive immune response to Mtb infection.
Eventual Consistent Databases: State of the Art

One of the challenges of cloud programming is to achieve the right balance between the availability and consistency in a distributed database. Cloud computing environments, particularly cloud databases, are rapidly increasing in importance, acceptance and usage in major applications, which need the partition-tolerance and availability for scalability purposes, but sacrifice the consistency side (CAP theorem). In these environments, the data accessed by users is stored in a highly available storage system, thus the use of paradigms such as eventual consistency became more widespread. In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art database systems using eventual consistency from both industry and research. Based on this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of eventual consistency, and identify the future research challenges on the databases using eventual consistency.
Gross and microscopic findings and investigation of the aetiopathogenesis of mycobacteriosis in a captive population of white-winged ducks (Cairina scutulata)

The white-winged duck (Cairina scutulata) is critically endangered. Breeding collections of this duck are established in the United Kingdom and the USA. Infection with Mycobacterium avium avium serotype 1 is a major cause of mortality in the UK collection. In this study, the aetiopathogenesis of deaths occurring in the US collection was studied. All ducks (n=21) that died over a 21-month period were examined. Mycobacteriosis was diagnosed in 20 ducks, killing 19 of them. Multifocal to diffuse granulomatous lesions, often with abundant intralesional organisms, were seen in all 20 ducks. Unusual manifestations of this disease were the extensive involvement of the respiratory system and the absence of multinucleated giant cells. Sequence analysis showed that the ducks were infected with a sequevar of M. a. avium that contains serotypes 2, 3, 4, and 9. Given that the long-term ingestion of metals affects immune function, we measured an array of such elements in the liver of six ducks. Concentrations were undetectable or low. The disseminated nature of the disease, high concentration of mycobacteria and absence of multinucleated giant cells within lesions suggest that these ducks were unable to effectively kill the mycobacteria and point to a possible defect or inhibition in cell mediated immunity. Taken together with previously reported UK data, these results suggest that captive white-winged ducks are highly susceptible to at least two sequevars of M. a. avium and that mycobacteriosis is a major threat to ex situ breeding. We hypothesize that the minimal heterozygosis previously shown in these ducks could be contributing to an apparently ineffective immune response.
On the Design of Approximate Restoring Dividers for Error-Tolerant Applications

This paper proposes several designs of approximate restoring dividers; two different levels of approximation (cell and array levels) are employed. Three approximate subtractor cells are utilized for integer subtraction as basic step of division; these cells tend to mitigate accuracy in subtraction with other metrics, such as circuit complexity and power dissipation. At array level, exact cells are either replaced or truncated in the approximate divider designs. A comprehensive evaluation of approximation at both cell- and array (divider) levels is pursued using error analysis and HSPICE simulation; different circuit metrics including complexity and power dissipation are evaluated. Different applications are investigated by utilizing the proposed approximate arithmetic circuits. The simulation results show that with extensive savings for power dissipation and circuit complexity, the proposed designs offer better error tolerant capabilities for quotient oriented applications (image processing) than remainder oriented application (modulo operations). The proposed approximate restoring divider is significantly better than the approximate non-restoring scheme presented in the technical literature.
Creating Interoperable Guidelines: Requirements of Vocabulary Standards in Immunization Decision Support

Interoperable support of electronic health records and clinical decision support technology are central to the vision of sustainable information infrastructure. Efforts to implement interoperable clinical guidelines for immunization practice have been sparse. We used the SAGE knowledge workbench to develop a knowledge base to provide immunization decision support in primary care. We translated the written clinical guideline into a structured decision logic format. The semantic content to completely capture CDC clinical decision logic required 197 separate concepts but was completely captured with SNOMED CT and LOINC. Although 88% of concepts employed precoordinated codes, 6% of guideline concepts required expanded vocabulary services employing Boolean logical definition using two or more SNOMED concepts. Postcoordination requirements were modest, representing just 6% of guideline semantic concepts. We conclude that creation of interoperable knowledge bases employing clinical vocabulary standards is achievable and realistic. Employment of information model (HL7 RIM) and vocabulary (SNOMED CT, LOINC) standards is a necessary and feasible requirement to achieve interoperability in clinical decision support.
Vegetation‐hydrology dynamics in complex terrain of semiarid areas: 1. A mechanistic approach to modeling dynamic feedbacks

Vegetation, particularly its dynamics, is the often‐ignored linchpin of the land‐surface hydrology. This work emphasizes the coupled nature of vegetation‐water‐energy dynamics by considering linkages at timescales that vary from hourly to interannual. A series of two papers is presented. A dynamic ecohydrological model [tRIBS + VEGGIE] is described in this paper. It reproduces essential water and energy processes over the complex topography of a river basin and links them to the basic plant life regulatory processes. The framework focuses on ecohydrology of semiarid environments exhibiting abundant input of solar energy but limiting soil water that correspondingly affects vegetation structure and organization. The mechanisms through which water limitation influences plant dynamics are related to carbon assimilation via the control of photosynthesis and stomatal behavior, carbon allocation, stress‐induced foliage loss, as well as recruitment and phenology patterns. This first introductory paper demonstrates model performance using observations for a site located in a semiarid environment of central New Mexico.
Validation of a simplified 13 C-urea breath test method for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main cause of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in adults, and has been associated with the development of cancer and gastric lymphoma (1). Different diagnostic methods are available: invasive ones require endoscopy and biopsy for histology, culture and/or PCR; non-invasive methods inValidation of a simplified 13C-urea breath test method for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection