Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid silicon photonics flip-chip laser integration with vertical self-alignment

We present a flip-chip integration process in which the vertical alignment is guaranteed by a mechanical contact between pedestals defined in a recess etched into a silicon photonics chip and a laser or semiconductor optical amplifier. By selectively etching up to the active region of the III-V materials, we can make the accuracy of vertical alignment independent on the process control applied to layer thicknesses during silicon photonics or III-V chip fabrication, enabling alignment tolerances below ±10 nm in the vertical (Z-)direction.
Understanding older women's leisure: the value of biographical research methods.

The phenomenal growth in the number of older people in the western world is well documented, with the fastest growing group being those aged over 80 years, the majority of whom are women. Despite this demographic transformation, little research has sought to understand the meaning of tourism and leisure both for older people in general and specifically for women in the 'oldest old' phase. The research that does exist is typically quantitative and provides an essentialist view of leisure in old age, often failing to recognise the diversity of older people's experiences. In contrast, this paper aims to provide a more fine-grained discussion of older people's leisure. Drawn from the first author's doctoral study, it reports and considers a biographical interview with a seventy-nine year old woman in order to provide insight into how a person's history and the cultural, social and historical contexts of their life can determine their life choices. We conclude that it is not possible to study older people's leisure behaviour through 'snapshot' research (which isolates one moment in time); instead if we are to more fully understand how their leisure and tourism experiences are constructed, we must try to engage with the context from which those experiences emerged.
Recessive mutations conferring resistance to carbon catabolite repression of galactokinase synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A total of 37 recessive mutations showing enhanced resistance to the glucose repression of galactokinase synthesis have been isolated by a selection procedure with a GAL81 gal7 double mutant. These mutations were grouped into three different complementation classes. One class, reg1, contains mutants arising from mutations at a site close to, but complementing, the gal3 locus. The reg1 mutant also showed resistance to the glucose repression of invertase synthesis but not to that of alpha-D-glucosidase. The two other classes were identified as arising from recessive mutations at the GAL82 locus and the GAL83 locus, respectively, at which various dominant mutations were isolated previously. When in a constitutive background due to the GAL81 or gal80 mutation, the GAL82 and GAL83 mutations did not show a mutually additive effect on the resistance to glucose repression of galactokinase synthesis, while the reg1 and GAL82 (or GAL83) mutations did. Based upon the specific behavior of cells with various genotypes for the above genes in response to the concentration of galactose and glucose in the medium, we propose a model involving three independent circuits for glucose signals in the regulation of the structural genes for the galactose pathway enzymes.
A Multifunctional Ankle Exoskeleton for Mobility Enhancement of Gait-Impaired Individuals and Seniors

This letter proposes a multifunctional ankle exoskeleton to safely expand the mobility. By applying torque to the ankle in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, the exoskeleton prevents foot drop and foot slip and helps the ankle to push off the ground. The exoskeleton includes a remote center-of-motion (RCM) mechanism, a linear actuation module, and fastening modules. The RCM mechanism, which has two degrees of freedom, is designed to be aligned with the talocrural and subtalar axes of the ankle. A key feature of the RCM mechanism is a three-dimensional combination of two four-bar linkage mechanisms that have the linear motion and rotational motion, respectively. Only the talocrural axis is actively actuated for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle, whereas the subtalar axis is passively released to allow the unconstrained motion by the user. The active axis is driven by a linear actuation mechanism comprising a ball-screw and a brushless dc motor. The device can be separated into fastening modules and actuation module and weighs only 869 g/leg without the battery. The results of ground and treadmill tests indicate that the peak torque and average positive mechanical power delivered by the exoskeleton are approximately 20 N·m and 6.21 W, respectively.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the elderly: The Edouard Herriot hospital experience

Data on all patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) aged 60 or older, referred to our institution over a 18‐year period, were studied to determine the incidence and range of clinical and biological subtypes, and the outcome of different therapeutic approaches. Sixty‐nine ALL cases (median age: 68 years) were diagnosed between 1980 and 1998 (18% of all adult ALL seen during this period). Ten of them (14%) had a past history of previous malignancy. Karyotypic analysis was performed successfully in 42 cases. Ten patients were diagnosed as Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) ALL. Immunophenotyping was performed in 63 cases. Fifty‐six patients had B‐cell lineage ALL. T lymphoid markers were observed only in 5 cases. Co‐expression of myeloid markers was observed in 19% of tested cases. Five patients died before any chemotherapy could be given. All other patients received “curative” treatment according to different protocols used during the period of study. Overall complete remission (CR) rate of these patients was 62% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50–74%). Thirty‐nine patients achieved CR after one course of chemotherapy and 4 patients after salvage therapy. Median disease‐free survival (DFS) of the entire cohort was 8.3 months (95% CI: 5–12.8 months) and median overall sur‐ vival was 7 months (95% CI: 6–10 months). In multivariate analysis, the presence of hemorrhage (P = 0.02) was a poor prognostic for CR achievement. Higher WHO performance status (P = 0.003) and the presence of hemorrhage (P = 0.01) at diagnosis were poor prognostics for overall survival. When patients were stratified into three groups according to the time of admission, survival appeared significantly longer for patients admitted between July 1992 and December 1998 (median overall survival at 10 months) than for patients admitted before July 1992 (P = 0.04). “Age‐adapted” therapy appeared superior to “young adult‐like” therapy in terms of CR rate (96% versus 60%; P = 0.007). However, “age‐adapted” therapy did not show any advantage in terms of DFS or overall survival, making the difference in CR rates questionable. We conclude that the pejorative overall outcome in elderly ALL points to the need for new therapeutic trials taking into account the specific characteristics of ALL in this age group. Am. J. Hematol. 67:73–83, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Information Content of Mandatory Disclosures

The information quality of mandatory financial reporting depends on two factors: (1) Are standards appropriate to produce financial statements that provide investors with sufficient information? (2) Is compliance to s tandards enforced by appropriate institutions? This paper addresses the question if firms should be able to create hidden reserves as an example for the effect of standards on information quality. The analysis shows that rational investors are able to correctly decipher financial statements – independent of the standards in use. The question of sufficient enforcement proves to have a deeper impact on the quality of information.
Similarities in the subgingival microbiota assessed by a curet sampling method at sites with chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to determine whether site-specific differences in the subgingival microbiota could be detected by the checkerboard method in subjects with periodontitis. METHODS Subjects with at least six periodontal pockets with a probing depth (PD) between 5 and 7 mm were enrolled in the study. Subgingival plaque samples were collected with sterile curets by a single-stroke procedure at six selected periodontal sites from 161 subjects (966 subgingival sites). Subgingival bacterial samples were assayed with the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method identifying 37 species. RESULTS Probing depths of 5, 6, and 7 mm were found at 50% (n = 483), 34% (n = 328), and 16% (n = 155) of sites, respectively. Statistical analysis failed to demonstrate differences in the sum of bacterial counts by tooth type (P = 0.18) or specific location of the sample (P = 0.78). With the exceptions of Campylobacter gracilis (P <0.001) and Actinomyces naeslundii (P <0.001), analysis by general linear model multivariate regression failed to identify subject or sample location factors as explanatory to microbiologic results. A trend of difference in bacterial load by tooth type was found for Prevotella nigrescens (P <0.01). At a cutoff level of > or = 1.0 x 10(5), Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis) were present at 48.0% to 56.3% and 46.0% to 51.2% of sampled sites, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Given the similarities in the clinical evidence of periodontitis, the presence and levels of 37 species commonly studied in periodontitis are similar, with no differences between molar, premolar, and incisor/cuspid subgingival sites. This may facilitate microbiologic sampling strategies in subjects during periodontal therapy.
BYOB: How Bringing Your Own Shopping Bags Leads to Treating Yourself and the Environment

As concerns about pollution and climate change become more mainstream, the belief that shopping with reusable grocery bags is an important environmental and socially conscious choice has gained prevalence. In parallel, firms have joined policy makers in using a variety of initiatives to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags. However, little is known about how these initiatives might alter other elements of consumers' in-store behavior. Using scanner panel data from a single California location of a major grocery chain, and controlling for consumer heterogeneity, the authors demonstrate that bringing one's own bags increases purchases of not only environmentally friendly organic foods but also indulgent foods. They use experimental methods to further explore the expression of these effects and to consider the effects of potential moderators, including competing goals and store policies. The findings have implications for decisions related to product pricing, placement and assortment, store layout, and the choice of strategies employed to increase the use of reusable bags.
Efficient transmit beamforming in pulse-echo ultrasonic imaging

A high performance ultrasound imaging system requires accurate control of the amplitude of the array elements, as well as of the time delays between them, both in the transmit and receive modes. In transmission, conventional array aperture windowing implies a different driving voltage for each element of the array, an expensive solution for systems with a large number of channels. In this paper, we present a simple, versatile, and inexpensive beamforming method that operates the aperture windowing in the transmit mode, simply controlling the lengths of the electric pulses driving the array elements. Computer simulations and experimental measurements are presented for different types of arrays. They confirm that the proposed beamforming technique improves the contrast resolution of the imaging system, reducing the off-axis intensity of the radiated field pattern. Moreover, the axial resolution is slightly enhanced, because the overall length of the transmitted ultrasonic pulse is reduced.
Small power wind systems automatic control

Given the increasing interest in small wind systems, the authors propose three applicable control strategies, confirmed by Matlab/ SimPowerSystem simulation software in terms of energy conversion optimization and stable operation. The analyzed small power wind energy conversion system has a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator — PMSG, a diode rectifier, a DC-DC converter, a battery and DC consumers. In order to highlight the performances of the small power wind system three control solutions were investigated in order to obtain maximum power conversion and stable operation. For the first case a shaft rotational speed loop with reference depending on the wind speed was used and for the second, a power loop with reference depending on shaft rotational speed cube and reaction after the electrical power. The third case had a power loop and a shaft rotational speed loop. In all the cases the chopper that feeds the battery uses an on-off controller.
Study on the Dynamics of the In-Wheel Motor System

In this paper, a novel in-wheel motor (IWM) topology scheme is brought forward. This scheme aims at conquering the unspung mass increase because of the motor embedded in the wheel and the motor magnet gap (MMG) deformation that arose by road surface roughness excitation. By mounting rubber bushings in the IWM device, the IWM mass is flexibly isolated from the unsprung mass. Synchronously, the rubber bushings can absorb the vibration energy from the road surface and abate the MMG deformation. Primarily, the quarter vehicle vibration dynamic model is set up. Then, bushing stiffness and damping are analyzed plainly. By contrastive simulations of the two types of IWM schemes with or without bushings, some useful results come out. With the rubber bushings, the body vibration acceleration, the tire dynamic load, the suspension dynamic travel, and the magnet gap deformation (MGD) can all achieve distinct improvements. In particular, MGD gets more than 90% improvement. Consequently, rubber bushings can observably improve the IWM vehicle vertical dynamics. The scheme and the analysis approach can be contributive to the development of the IWM propulsion system.
The place of medical treatment of acromegaly: current status and perspectives

Introduction: Acromegaly is characterized by elevated growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels and by progressive somatic disfigurement and systemic manifestations, which lead to a mortality rate higher than the general population. Therefore, diagnosis and properly treatment should be performed as soon as possible. Areas covered: This article focuses on the state of the art of acromegaly medical treatment. Somatostatin analogs, dopamine agonists and GH receptor antagonist were reviewed. Somatostatin analogs, the first-choice pharmacotherapy, can be used as primary or pre-operative treatment or as secondary therapy after failed surgery. Dopamine agonists have been used in patients with slightly elevated hormone levels and/or mixed GH/prolactin adenomas. Pegvisomant is indicated for resistant to somatostatin analogs/dopamine agonists. Combined treatment is also an option for resistant cases. Other non-conventional therapies and perspectives of treatment were also been discussed. Expert opinion: The control of disease activity in acromegaly is of paramount importance. Medical treatment is an important option for cases in which surgery was unsuccessful or not indicated. Despite the achievements in medical treatment, somatotropic tumor aggressiveness and/or resistance to the drugs currently available remain a concern. Therefore, novel therapy targets based on molecular pathogenesis of GH-secreting tumors are currently in development, aiming at fulfilling this important gap.
Emetine induces chemosensitivity and reduces clonogenicity of acute myeloid leukemia cells

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an hematologic neoplasia characterized by the accumulation of transformed immature myeloid cells in bone marrow. Although the response rate to induction therapy is high, survival rate 5-year after diagnosis is still low, highlighting the necessity of new novel agents. To identify agents with the capability to abolish the self-renewal capacity of AML blasts, an in silico screening was performed to search for small molecules that induce terminal differentiation. Emetine, a hit compound, was validated for its anti-leukemic effect in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Emetine, a second-line anti-protozoa drug, differentially reduced cell viability and clonogenic capacity of AML primary patient samples, sparing healthy blood cells. Emetine treatment markedly reduced AML burden in bone marrow of xenotransplanted mice and decreased self-renewal capacity of the remaining engrafted AML cells. Emetine also synergized with commonly used chemotherapeutic agents such as ara-C. At a molecular level, emetine treatment was followed by a reduction in HIF-1α protein levels. This study validated the anti-leukemiceffect of emetine in AML cell lines, a group of diverse AML primary samples, and in a human AML-transplanted murine model, sparing healthy blood cells. The selective anti-leukemic effect of emetine together with the safety of the dose range required to exert this effect support the development of this agent in clinical practice.
British Ocular Syphilis Study (BOSS): 2-year national surveillance study of intraocular inflammation secondary to ocular syphilis.

PURPOSE The British Ocular Syphilis Study (BOSS) is the first national prospective epidemiological study of intraocular syphilis (IOS) in light of the global increase in early syphilis (ES). The aims were to ascertain the UK incidence, demographics, clinical features, laboratory data, and posttreatment visual outcomes of patients with IOS. METHODS Prospective study of IOS, reported through the national reporting system (British Ocular Surveillance Unit) from 2009 to 2011. Case definition was any adult presenting with intraocular inflammation in ES. RESULTS A total of 41 new cases (63 eyes) of IOS were reported, giving an annual incidence of 0.3 per million UK adult population. Mean age was 48.7 years (range, 20.6-75.1); 90.2% were male. All had RPR/VDRL titers of ≥1:16. Bilateral ocular involvement occurred in 56%; in unilateral cases, the left eye was more commonly affected (P = 0.009). Mean presenting logMAR visual acuity was 0.52 (20/63 Snellen; range, -0.2 to 2.30 logMAR). Panuveitis was the commonest diagnosis, seen in 41.3%, and isolated anterior uveitis was uncommon (9.5%). Subgroup analysis between HIV-positive and -negative patients found no significant differences in terms of proportion of bilateral disease, presenting or post treatment acuity. HIV-positive patients had higher rates of panuveitis. At final follow-up, 92.1% had visual acuity ≥ 0.3 logMAR (20/40 Snellen) after antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSIONS This study is the largest prospective series of ocular syphilis in the post-penicillin era. It confirms good visual outcomes for treated IOS, irrespective of HIV status or time to presentation. The study identified an unexpected preponderance for left eye involvement in uniocular cases; which is unexplained.
Transmit beamforming with DOA estimation in fast fading channels with AOA spread

This paper shows performance of a transmit beamforming with DOA estimation in fast time selective fading channels with angle of arrival spread. The performance is confirmed by simulation where carrier frequency is assumed to be 20GHz and a linear array antenna is introduced. The unitary ESPRIT is applied for the DOA estimation. The beamfoming gain can be kept high as far as the maximum Doppler frequency fD is less than 104 in the fading channel.
Modulation Format Identification in Coherent Receivers Using Deep Machine Learning

We propose a novel technique for modulation format identification (MFI) in digital coherent receivers by applying deep neural network (DNN) based pattern recognition on signals' amplitude histograms obtained after constant modulus algorithm (CMA) equalization. Experimental results for three commonly-used modulation formats demonstrate MFI with an accuracy of 100% over a wide optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) range. The effects of fiber nonlinearity on the performance of MFI technique are also investigated. The proposed technique is non-data-aided (NDA) and avoids any additional hardware on top of standard digital coherent receiver. Therefore, it is ideal for simple and cost-effective MFI in future heterogeneous optical networks.
Graphene-Based FET Detector for E. coli K12 Real-Time Monitoring and Its Theoretical Analysis

This paper presents a theoretical analysis for a graphene-based FET real-time detector of the target bacteria E. coli K12. The motivation for this study is to design a sensor device for detection of bacteria in food and water in order to guarantee food safety. Graphene is chosen as our material for sensor design, which has outstanding electrical, physical, and optical performance. In our sensor structure, graphene-based solution gate field effect transistor (FET) is the device model; fabrication and functionalization protocol are presented together in this paper. What is more, a real-time signal display system is the accompanied equipment for our designed biosensor device. In this system, the sensor bias current signal would change obviously when the target bacteria are attached to the sensor surface. And the bias current increases when the E. coli concentration increases. In the latter part, a theoretical interpretation of the sensor signal is to explain the bias current increasing after the E. coli K12 attachment.
Efficient Millimeter Wave Doherty PA Design Based on a Low-Loss Combiner Synthesis Technique

We report on a record-efficient 30-GHz 21-dBm differential Doherty PA designed in a 130-nm SiGe process. The output network is designed using a recently developed combiner synthesis technique. This technique enables impedance inversion and parasitic compensation to be integrated in one compact network. As a result, the combiner loss is reduced with 0.3–0.5 dB compared with a conventional Doherty combiner. The measured collector and power-added efficiencies at 6-dB back-off level are 30% and 24.3%, respectively, which further validates the advantages of the design technique.
Development of a checklist for the evaluation of the web accessibility for the aged users

This paper presents an approach to create checklists, and to explain how it is used to develop a technique for assessing the Web interfaces accessibility focused on aged users. The observation of aged users interacting with a Web communication tool leaded to the research about recommendations to Web accessibility, especially those centered on aged users. Thus, the selected recommendations originated the first version of the checklist, which passed through three evolutionary cycles of improvement and tests until arrive to the final version. This paper also intends to sensitize the Web content creators about the questions related to these contents accessibility.
Self-assembled peptide nanostructures for functional materials

Nature is an important inspirational source for scientists, and presents complex and elegant examples of adaptive and intelligent systems created by self-assembly. Significant effort has been devoted to understanding these sophisticated systems. The self-assembly process enables us to create supramolecular nanostructures with high order and complexity, and peptide-based self-assembling building blocks can serve as suitable platforms to construct nanostructures showing diverse features and applications. In this review, peptide-based supramolecular assemblies will be discussed in terms of their synthesis, design, characterization and application. Peptide nanostructures are categorized based on their chemical and physical properties and will be examined by rationalizing the influence of peptide design on the resulting morphology and the methods employed to characterize these high order complex systems. Moreover, the application of self-assembled peptide nanomaterials as functional materials in information technologies and environmental sciences will be reviewed by providing examples from recently published high-impact studies.