Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical generation of low-phase noise microwave signals using nonlinear MZM and ultra-long SOA

We propose and demonstrate a tunable 50 GHz photonic synthesizer using nonlinearities in a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) in conjunction with the four-wave mixing (FWM) effect in an ultra-long semiconductor optical amplifier (UL-SOA). The operation principle is based on an external modulation scheme using a low phase noise local oscillator (LO) source to multiply the LO frequency in the optical domain. We experimentally demonstrate tunable and low phase noise millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signal generation up to 50 GHz using a low frequency reference LO source. A multiplication of eight-times the LO frequency has been achieved resulting from the nonlinear behavior of the MZM in conjunction with the UL-SOA. Phase noise measurements of the fundamental LO frequency as well as of the generated mm-wave signal with a multiplication factor of N=8 have shown phase noise levels of −96 dBc/Hz and −78 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset from the carrier, respectively.
A comparison between pre-operative carprofen and a long-acting sufentanil formulation for analgesia after ovariohysterectomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To assess the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of a novel, long-acting sufentanil preparation in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE). STUDY DESIGN Blinded, positively controlled, randomized field trial with four parallel treatment groups. ANIMALS Eighty client owned dogs undergoing elective OHE randomly allocated into four treatment groups (each n = 20). MATERIALS AND METHODS Three groups received intramuscular (IM) sufentanil (at 10, 15 and 25 microg kg(-1), respectively) and the control group received subcutaneous (SC) carprofen 4 mg kg(-1) SC plus acepromazine 0.05 mg kg(-1) IM as pre-anaesthetic medication. OHE was performed under thiopental/halothane anaesthesia. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for pain and sedation were awarded and mechanical nociceptive thresholds were measured at the wound and hock before surgery and up to 24 hours after tracheal extubation. Serum cortisol was measured before surgery, during surgery and up to 24 hours after tracheal extubation. Animals with inadequate post-operative analgesia were given rescue medication. RESULTS In the carprofen group, VAS pain scores were significantly higher, wound tenderness was greater and requirement for rescue analgesia was more than in the sufentanil-treated groups. Sufentanil produced dose dependent analgesia and sedation. All treatment groups showed similar patterns of change for cortisol concentrations. Use of the sufentanil preparation was associated with a relatively high incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS The long-acting preparation of sufentanil provided excellent post-operative analgesia that was significantly better than that provided by carprofen. However, use of this formulation, in the anaesthetic technique used in the study, resulted in a relatively high incidence of adverse effects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Full mu (MOP) opioid agonists provide significantly better post-operative analgesia than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after moderately painful surgery. However, the widely recognized adverse effects of opioids may preclude the use of these agents.
A Novel Tri-Band Superconducting Filter Using Embedded Stub-Loaded Resonators

This paper presents a novel tri-band high- temperature superconducting bandpass filter based on the tri-mode resonance of an embedded stub-loaded resonator (ESLR). This ESLR is analyzed using the even- and odd-mode method, demonstrating the emergence of three resonant frequencies and two transmission zeros in the ESLR circuit. The coupling structure, using capacitively loaded parallel coupled lines, is studied to realize the equal coupling coefficients at three resonant frequencies. Two tapped lines are used to achieve the desired external coupling under prior specifications. The lossless lumped-element equivalent circuits for three passbands are proposed. Finally, a third-order tri-band filter with the 4% fractional bandwidth is designed and fabricated with three passbands centered at 1.8, 2.4, and 3.5 GHz, respectively, corresponding to the GSM, WLAN, and WiMAX communication applications. The measured results agree well with simulated ones, showing very low in-band insertion loss, i.e., 0.07, 0.08, and 0.11 dB, in the three passbands, respectively.
Probabilistic analysis of adaptative sampling

This paper analyzes the asymptotic properties of a classical algorithm: the adaptative sampling which solves the following problem; how to estimate the number M of distinct elements of a large collection of n data. Using tools such as the random tree and techniques such as Mellin transforms, combinatorial identities on Stirling numbers and Bessel functions, we analyze all moments and the asymptotic distribution function of the algorithm. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 10, 157–168 (1997)
Flow injection analysis of paracetamol using a biomimetic sensor as a sensitive and selective amperometric detector

This work describes the coupling of a biomimetic sensor to a flow injection system for the sensitive determination of paracetamol. The sensor was prepared as previously described in the literature (M. D. P. T. Sotomayor, A. Sigoli, M. R. V. Lanza, A. A. Tanaka and L. T. Kubota, J. Braz. Chem. Soc., 2008, 19, 734) by modifying a glassy carbon electrode surface with a Nafion® membrane doped with iron tetrapyridinoporphyrazine (FeTPyPz), a biomimetic catalyst of the P450 enzyme. The performance of the sensor for paracetamol detection was investigated and optimized in a flow injection system (FIA) using a wall jet electrochemical cell. Under optimized conditions a wide linear response range (1.0 × 10−5 to 5.0 × 10−2 mol L−1) was obtained, with a sensitivity of 2579 (±129) μA L μmol−1. The detection and quantification limits of the sensor for paracetamol in the FIA system were 1.0 and 3.5 μmol L−1, respectively. The analytical frequency was 51 samples h−1, and over a period of five days (320 determinations) the biosensor maintained practically the same response. The system was successfully applied to paracetamol quantification in seven pharmaceutical formulations and in water samples from six rivers in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.
A Scientific Basis for Rigor in Information Systems Research

Qualitative research is just as able as quantitative research to follow certain fundamental principles of logic in general and scientific reasoning in particular. Two such principles are the logic of modus ponens and the logic of modus tollens. In this essay, we frame different research approaches- positivist research, interpretive research, action research, and design research-in the forms of modus ponens and modus tollens. Three issues emerge from this framing and call into question how research is now conducted in the discipline of information systems. They are the issue of a common scientific basis, the issue of the fallacy of affirming the consequent, and the issue of summative validity. Both rigor and relevance in information systems research may be better achieved by attending to the three issues.
Discrete Element Texture Synthesis

1 A variety of natural and man-made phenomena can be characterized 2 by repetitive discrete elements. Examples include a stack of fruits, 3 a plate of dish, or a stone sculpture. Although certain results can 4 be produced via existing methods based on procedural or physical 5 simulation, these are often designed for specific applications. Some 6 of these methods can also be hard to control. 7 We present discrete element texture synthesis, a data-driven method 8 for placing repetitive discrete elements within a given large-scale 9 structure. Our main goal is to provide a general approach that works 10 for a variety of phenomena instead of just specific scenarios. We 11 also want it easy to use, as the user only needs to specify an in12 put exemplar for the detailed elements and the overall output struc13 ture, and our approach will produce the desired combination. Our 14 method is inspired by texture synthesis, a methodology tailored for 15 generating repetitions. However, existing texture synthesis meth16 ods cannot adequately handle discrete elements, often producing 17 unnaturally broken or merged elements. Our method not only pre18 serves the individual element properties such as color, shape, size, 19 and orientation, but also their aggregate distributions. It also allows 20 certain application specific controls, such as boundary constraints 21 for physically realistic appearance. Our key idea is a new neighbor22 hood metric for element distribution as well as an energy formu23 lation for synthesis quality and control. As an added benefit, our 24 method can also be applied for editing element distributions. 25
Evaluation of the role of the new INNOVANCE PFA P2Y test cartridge in detection of clopidogrel resistance

Light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) has been extensively used in monitoring clopidogrel therapy. However, the availability of simple and rapid point-of-care platelet function assays is of great clinical importance. Thus, the manufacturer of the Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)-100 System has recently produced the INNOVANCE PFA P2Y test cartridge. We assessed the ability of this new test to reliably detect clopidogrel resistance. We enrolled 90 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease receiving chronic clopidogrel maintenance therapy in combination with aspirin. Twenty healthy volunteers served as controls. Clopidogrel resistance was simultaneously analysed by the INNOVANCE PFA P2Y test cartridge, ADP-induced LTA, the flow-cytometric vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP)-phosphorylation assay and the multiple electrode aggregometry (Multiplate). Agreement among the four platelet function methods by two was assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficient. According to the cut-off points for clopidogrel resistance proposed by the literature, agreement was fair between INNOVANCE PFA-100 P2Y and LTA (74.4%) and Multiplate (75.6%), while poor agreement was noticed in VASP assay (63.3%). Based on cut-off points indicating a higher thrombotic risk, agreement between the PFA-100 System and the other three methods did not significantly differ compared to the previous cut-offs (72.2%, 71.1% and 55.1%, respectively). The INNOVANCE PFA-100 P2Y test seems to be comparable to other established platelet function assays in detecting clopidogrel resistance. However, the modest agreement among platelet function methods makes the performance of platelet function testing crucial with more than one technique in order to reliably identify poor responders to clopidogrel treatment.
Support vector approaches for engine knock detection

We show the application of large margin classifiers to the real world problem of engine knock detection. Large margin classifiers, like support vector machines (SVM) or the Adatron, promise a good generalization performance. Furthermore, the support vector approach has some bounds (e.g. for generalization error and learning convergence) which give this technique a more firm background than the neural network leaning algorithms. One drawback of the SVM, especially the Adatron, is that they tend to produce classification systems which need large computational effort for recall. This is caused by the fact that support vectors are normally sparse, but their number of calls is high. Therefore, we propose here a method which prunes (removes) support vectors that are less important. By an adjustment of the training data and remaining steps of the classifier a performance degradation is avoided.
New presepectives on component and system ESD

With rapid technology changes the perspectives on both component and system ESD are changing. System ESD is one of the key concerns in the design of electronic systems and requires a good knowledge of the exposed pins and their careful characterization that allows a system-efficient ESD design. The purpose of the paper is to highlight these shifting issues for components and systems and to give an overview of a novel design methodology for system ESD.
Quality, Efficiency, and Cost of a Physician-Assistant-Protocol System for Managment of Diabetes and Hypertension

Briefly trained physicians assistants using protocols (clinical algorithms) for diabetes, hypertension, and related chronic arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease abstrated information from the medical record and obtained history and physical examination data on every patient-visit to a city hospital chronic disease clinic over a 18-month period. The care rendered by the protocol system was compared with care rendered by a “traditional” system in the same clinic in which physicians delegated few clinical tasks. Increased thoroughness in collecting clinical data in the protocol system led to an increase in the recognition of new pathology. Outcome criteria reflected equivalent quality of care in both groups. Efficiency time-motion studies demonstrated a 20 per cent saving in physician time with the protocol system. Coct estimates, based on the time spent with patients by various providers and on the laboratory-test-ordering patterns, demonstrated equivalent costs of the two systems, given optimal staffing patterns. Laboratory tests were a major element of the cost of patient care,and the clinical yield per unit cost of different tests varied widely.
Cerebral venous thrombus signal intensity and susceptibility effects on gradient recalled-echo MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cerebral venous thrombus (CVT) signal intensity is variable on MR imaging, and the appearance of CVT on gradient recalled-echo (GRE) sequences has been incompletely assessed. This study was performed to evaluate the GRE imaging appearance of CVT in different stages of thrombus evolution and its relationship to signal intensity on other MR pulse sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical and MR imaging findings in 18 patients with CVT and GRE imaging were reviewed. Sixty-nine thrombosed venous segments were evaluated, and the signal intensity of thrombus relative to gray matter was determined. The degree of thrombus susceptibility effect (SE) was assessed and related to time of imaging after onset of symptoms (clinical thrombus age) and appearance on other pulse sequences. Segments were classified as SE+ (demonstrating susceptibility effect) or SE- (no susceptibility effect). RESULTS Thirty-six venous segments exhibited visible SE. SE+ segments had a clinical thrombus age that was less than that in SE- segments (8.1 versus 24.6 days, P=.003). Sixty-three percent (23/36) of SE+ segments exhibited hypointensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI) versus 12% (4/33) of SE- segments (P<.001). Twenty-nine of 32 (90.6%) segments with clinical thrombus age of 0-7 days were SE+, versus 7 of 30 (23.3%) segments with a thrombus age of 8 days or greater. CONCLUSION SEs from CVT can be detected with GRE imaging and are most prevalent in patients with hypointense thrombus on T2WI within 7 days after the symptom onset. This correlates with the paramagnetic effects of deoxyhemoglobin in acute stage thrombus. GRE imaging may be useful in detecting thrombus in this stage when difficult to detect on other pulse sequences.
Identifying the Critical Climatic Time Window That Affects Trait Expression

Identifying the critical time window during which climatic drivers affect the expression of phenological, behavioral, and demographic traits is crucial for predicting the impact of climate change on trait and population dynamics. Two widely used associative methods exist to identify critical climatic periods: sliding-window models and recursive operators in which the memory of past weather fades over time. Both approaches have different strong points, which we combine here into a single method. Our method uses flexible functions to differentially weight past weather, which can reflect competing hypotheses about time lags and the relative importance of recent and past weather for trait expression. Using a 22-year data set, we illustrate that the climatic window identified by our new method explains more of the phenological variation in a sexually selected trait than existing approaches. Our new method thus helps to better identify the critical time window and the causes of trait response to environmental variability.
A Novel ZVS-PWM Single-Phase Inverter Using a New Simple ZVS-PWM Commutation Cell

A new zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) single-phase inverter using a simple ZVS-PWM commutation cell is presented in this paper. Except for the auxiliary switches, all active and passive semiconductor devices in the ZVS-PWM single-phase inverter operate at ZVS turn on and turn off. The auxiliary switches operate at zero-current-switching (ZCS) turned-on and turned-off. Besides operating at constant frequency, the proposed inverter has no overvoltage across the switches on the main switch compared to the hard switching inverter counterpart. Auxiliary components rated at very small current are used. The principle of operation, theoretical analysis, and experimental results of the new ZVS-PWM single-phase inverter, rated 1kW and operated at 40 kHz, are provided in this paper to verify the performance.
User-Friendly: Anthropomorphic Devices and Mechanical Behaviour in Japan

Anthropomorphic avatars and disembodied voices have become part of everyday life in Japan. From the animated characters that bow after you complete a transaction at an automated teller machine to the phenomenal proliferation of consumer goods bearing cute faces. There is a discernable growing tendency to anthropomorphize machines. These anthropomorphic devices stand in contrast with the somewhat automated nature of many human interactions. Particularly in the behavior required of employees that work in customer service roles, which calls to mind the demand that workers must often behave as machines from which the notion of a robot originates. Based on research conducted at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, examples not only of how friendliness can be mechanically produced but also of new devices being imbued with functions to demonstrate their friendliness will be critically examined.
Factors affecting the availability of thick epiphyte mats and other potential nest platforms for Marbled Murrelets in British Columbia.

Nest platforms (mossy pads, limbs, and deformities >15 cm in diameter) are key requirements in the forest nesting habitat of the threatened Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)). Little is known about factors that affect the availability of platforms or the growth of canopy epiphytes that provide platforms. We examined variables affecting these parameters in coastal trees in British Columbia using data from 29 763 trees at 1412 sites in 170 watersheds. Tree diameter (diameter at breast height (DBH)) was the most important predictor of platform availability in the pooled data and within each of six regions. In most regions, platforms become available at DBH > 60 cm, but on East Vancouver Island, DBH needs to be >96 cm and possibly on the Central Coast >82 cm. Other regional predictors of platforms included tree height, tree species, and to a lesser extent elevation, slope, and latitude. Most (72%) trees providing platforms had epiphytes (mainly moss) covering one third or more of .
Analog Integrated Circuits Design for Processing Physiological Signals

Analog integrated circuits (ICs) designed for processing physiological signals are important building blocks of wearable and implantable medical devices used for health monitoring or restoring lost body functions. Due to the nature of physiological signals and the corresponding application scenarios, the ICs designed for these applications should have low power consumption, low cutoff frequency, and low input-referred noise. In this paper, techniques for designing the analog front-end circuits with these three characteristics will be reviewed, including subthreshold circuits, bulk-driven MOSFETs, floating gate MOSFETs, and log-domain circuits to reduce power consumption; methods for designing fully integrated low cutoff frequency circuits; as well as chopper stabilization (CHS) and other techniques that can be used to achieve a high signal-to-noise performance. Novel applications using these techniques will also be discussed.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease among type-2 diabetes mellitus patients in a rural area ABSTRAK

Metode: Studi dilakukan menggunakan metode potonglintang di Puskesmas Pelaihari pada Agustus-September 2013. Pasien DM lama maupun baru berusia ≥18 tahun yang dipilih secara konsekutif dengan kriteria eksklusi: kehamilan, sedang dalam pengobatan dengan proton-pump inhibitor, dan memiliki penyakit metabolik. Diagnosis DM ditegakkan berdasarkan kriteria American Diabetes Association (ADA), adapun diagnosis GERD ditegakkan bila nilai GERDQ berbahasa Indonesia ≥ 8.
Effect of depressive symptoms and social support on weight and CD4 count increase at HIV clinic in Ethiopia

Abstract Studies have reported an inverse relationship between depressive symptoms and weight and CD4 gain and a positive association between social support and weight and CD4 gain. The main objective of this study was to explore the effect of depressive symptoms and perceived social support on weight change and CD4 cell progression in an HIV clinic in Ethiopia. The study design was descriptive cross-sectional, with a sample of 1815 HIV-infected adults age 18 years or above. Depressive symptoms and perceived social support were the independent variables, while weight and CD4 cell count were the dependent variables. Regression modeling was the main statistical approach used for the analysis. A significant proportion of females reported depressive symptoms: being bothered by things that do not bother other people, they had been depressed, and their sleep had been restless for 5–7 days a week. A lesser proportion of males reported these problems. A significant proportion of study participants did not have someone to borrow a small amount of money (6 USD) from for immediate help and did not have somebody to support them if they were confined to bed for several weeks. Worse depressive symptoms had a negative effect on weight gain and CD4 cell progression, while better perceived social support had a positive effect on both weight gain and CD4 cell progression. Interventions that address both of these background factors need to be designed and implemented as part of the HAART program to improve weight gain and CD4 cell progression.