Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monolithic Integration of a Waveguide Optical Isolator With a Distributed Feedback Laser Diode in the 1.5- $\mu$m Wavelength Range

We present first monolithic integration of a waveguide optical isolator with a distributed feedback laser diode (DFB LD) in the 1.5-mum wavelength range. The integrated devices are composed of 0.25-mm-long index-coupled DFB LDs and 0.75-mm-long semiconductor active waveguide optical isolators. The semiconductor active waveguide optical isolators are based on the nonreciprocal loss in the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) waveguides with ferromagnetic metals (Fe). The fabrication process consists of two steps of metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy to grow the DFB LD/SOA layer structures, one dry-etching process for the waveguide stripe formation, and three steps of electron-beam evaporation for the electrodes and ferromagnetic metals deposition. They showed single-mode emission at 1543.8nm and 4-dB optical isolation under a magnetic field of 0.1 T.
Dependency Structures of Data Base Relationships

An axiomatic description of dependency structures in relationships is presented. The axioms specify those families of dependencies "A determines B" which can hold for some relationship. Families of maximal dependencies, i.e., those where A is a minimal set of attributes determining the given B and where B is the set of all attributes determined where A are also characterized axiomatically. The -semi-lattice of the B in maximal dependencies is shown to determine the dependency structure completely. Families of subsets of attributes which can be the candidate keys of some relationship are completely characterized. Some insight into recent work on use of boolean functions in the data base decomposition is provided.
The effects of periodized concurrent and aerobic training on oxidative stress parameters, endothelial function and immune response in sedentary male individuals of middle age

The vascular endothelium plays a key role in arterial wall homeostasis by preventing atherosclerotic plaque formation. A primary causal factor of endothelial dysfunction is the reactive oxygen species. Aerobic exercise is ascribed as an important adjuvant therapy in endothelium‐dependent cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the effects of concurrent (aerobic + strength) training on that. For a comparison of the effects of aerobic and concurrent physical training on endothelial function, oxidative stress parameters and the immunoinflammatory activity of monocytes/macrophages, 20 adult male volunteers of middle age were divided into a concurrent training (CT) programme group and an aerobic training group. The glutathione disulphide to glutathione ratio (GSSG/GSH) and plasma lipoperoxide (LPO) levels, as well as flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), monocyte/macrophage functional activity (zymosan phagocytosis), body lipid profiles, aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen uptake) and strength parameters (one‐repetition maximum test), were measured before and after the exercise training programmes. The CT exhibited reduced acute effects of exercise on the GSSG/GSH ratio, plasma LPO levels and zymosan phagocytosis. The CT also displayed improved lipid profiles, glycaemic control, maximal oxygen uptake and one‐repetition maximum test values. In both the aerobic training and the CT, training improved the acute responses to exercise, as inferred from a decrease in the GSSG/GSH ratios. The aerobic sessions did not alter basal levels of plasma LPO or macrophage phagocytic activity but improved FMD values as well as lipid profiles and glycaemic control. In summary, both training programmes improve systemic redox status and antioxidant defences. However, the aerobic training was more efficient in improving FMD in the individuals studied. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobility in modern cities: looking for physical laws

We discuss an exponential law for the trajectories distribution in a urban road network, that has been found analyzing a large set of GPS data on private cars dynamics. This law appears to be common for very different cities, from the size of a town to that of a metropolis. We propose to explain this behavior as an effect of the activities sprawling in modern cities, associated with the existence of a cognitive proximity concept that determines the citizens mobility requests. We discuss the relevance of these results for a complex systems approach to urban mobility.
A single tube multiplex PCR method to detect the common alpha+ thalassemia alleles.

To the editor: A single tube multiplex PCR method to detect the common + thalassemia alleles Alpha thalassemias are the commonest single gene disorders in humans. Two different deletions (−α3.7 and −α4.2) in the α globin genes (−α) on the short arm of chromosome 161 are the most
Title Time domain equalization for OFDM systems

In this paper, a time domain equalization algorithm systems over frequency selective fading channels. Most of is proposed for single-TX multiple-RX OFDM systems over the intersymbol interference (ISI) is cancelled by the time frequency selective fading channels. The algorithm, which domain equalizer, which makes use of the orthogonality of cancels most of the intersymbol interference (ISI), utilizes the the IFFT matrix and the second order statistics of the orthogonality of the IFFT matrix and the second order received signals. The signals are then detected from the statistics of the received signals. The signals are then detected, output of the equalizer with the aid of only four pilots. The with the aid of only four pilots, from the equalizer output. The number of pilots required in the proposed algorithm is less number of pilots required in the proposed algorithm is less than that required in existing algorithms [1, 3], which only than that in existing algorithms and channel length estimation . ' c is~~~~~ no.edd nadto,tepooe loih sapial consider the case where the channel length is shorter than or IS not needed I d i i n h r posed algorithm i applicable eqa.otelnt fC n eur tlatNplt to both the case where the channel length is shorter than or equal to the length of CP and require at least N pilots equal to the length of cyclic prefix (CP), and the case where the (where N is the number of symbols in one OFDM block). channel length is longer than the length of cyclic prefix which In addition, the proposed algorithm is applicable to both the results in inter-block interference (IBI). Simulation results case where the channel length is shorter than or equal to the confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in both length of CP, and the case where the channel length is longer cases and indicate that it is more practical as there is no than the length of CP. Simulation results verify that the restriction on the channel and CP lengths. proposed algorithm performs well in both cases. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In Section
Testing the Non‐Unity of Rate Ratio under Inverse Sampling

Inverse sampling is considered to be a more appropriate sampling scheme than the usual binomial sampling scheme when subjects arrive sequentially, when the underlying response of interest is acute, and when maximum likelihood estimators of some epidemiologic indices are undefined. In this article, we study various statistics for testing non‐unity rate ratios in case‐control studies under inverse sampling. These include the Wald, unconditional score, likelihood ratio and conditional score statistics. Three methods (the asymptotic, conditional exact, and Mid‐P methods) are adopted for P ‐value calculation. We evaluate the performance of different combinations of test statistics and P ‐value calculation methods in terms of their empirical sizes and powers via Monte Carlo simulation. In general, asymptotic score and conditional score tests are preferable for their actual type I error rates are well controlled around the pre‐chosen nominal level, and their powers are comparatively the largest. The exact version of Wald test is recommended if one wants to control the actual type I error rate at or below the pre‐chosen nominal level. If larger power is expected and fluctuation of sizes around the pre‐chosen nominal level are allowed, then the Mid‐P version of Wald test is a desirable alternative. We illustrate the methodologies with a real example from a heart disease study. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
STABILIZING SELECTION AND THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ADAPTATION

Comparative studies tend to differ from optimality and functionality studies in how they treat adaptation. While the comparative approach focuses on the origin and change of traits, optimality studies assume that adaptations are maintained at an optimum by stabilizing selection. This paper presents a model of adaptive evolution on a macroevolutionary time scale that includes the maintenance of traits at adaptive optima by stabilizing selection as the dominant evolutionary force. Interspecific variation is treated as variation in the position of adaptive optima. The model illustrates how phylogenetic constraints not only lead to correlations between phylogenetically related species, but also to imperfect adaptations. From this model, a statistical comparative method is derived that can be used to estimate the effect of a selective factor on adaptive optima in a way that would be consistent with an optimality study of adaptation to this factor. The method is illustrated with an analysis of dental evolution in fossil horses. The use of comparative methods to study evolutionary trends is also discussed.
Structural Normalisation Methods for Improving Best Answer Identification in Question Answering Communities

Nowadays, Question Answering (Q&A) websites are popular source of information for finding answers to all kind of questions. Due to this popularity it is critical to help the identification of best answers to existing questions for simplifying the access to relevant information. Although it is possible to identify relatively accurately best answers by using binary classifiers coupled with user, content and thread} features, existing works have generally ignored to incorporate the thread-like structure of Q&A communities in the design of best answer identification predictors and algorithms. This paper investigates this particular issue by studying structural normalisation techniques for improving the accuracy of feature based best answer identification models. Thread-based normalisation methods are introduced for improving the accuracy of identification models by introducing a systematic normalisation approach that normalise predictors by taking into account relations between features and the thread-like structure of Q&A communities. Compared to similar non normalised models, better results are obtained for each of the three communities studied. These results show that structural normalisation methods can improve the identification of best answers compared to non-normalised models.
Knockdown of CTRP6 inhibits adipogenesis via lipogenic marker genes and Erk1/2 signalling pathway

C1q/tumor necrosis factor‐related protein 6 (CTRP6), an adipose‐tissue secretory factor, plays an important role in inflammatory reaction and carcinogenesis. However, the biological function of CTRP6 in adipogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of CTRP6 knockdown on lipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. The results showed that after 3T3‐L1 adipocytes transfected with anti‐CTRP6 small interfering RNA (siRNA), not only levels of secreted CTRP6 protein in the culture medium but also the expression level of the CTRP6 protein in the 3T3‐L1 adipocytes was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). In addition, the number of lipid droplets in the adipocytes was reduced, as well as the OD values reflecting the fat content being significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Meanwhile the levels of adipogenic markers, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α (C/EBPα), CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (aP2), were decreased after treatment with anti‐CTRP6 siRNA, whereas the expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH) were increased. Furthermore, after transfection, activity of phosphorylated Erk1/2 (p‐Erk1/2) was inhibited in the early stage of differentiation, but in terminal differentiation of adipocytes, its activity was activated. Taken together, the results indicate that knockdown of CTRP6 can inhibit adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes through lipogenic marker genes and Erk1/2 signaling pathway.
Electrochemical dissolution of fractured nickel–titanium instruments in human extracted teeth

AIM To assess the effect of sodium chloride concentration in fluoridated solutions during the electrochemical dissolution of fractured rotary endodontic instruments. METHODOLOGY Two solutions were assessed (solution 1: NaF 12 g L-1 + NaCl 1 g L-1 , pH = 5.0; and solution 2: NaF 12 g L-1 + NaCl 180 g L-1 , pH = 5.0) using two tests: the ProTaper Universal F1 (PTU F1) instrument polarization test and the polarization test for intracanal PTU F1 fragments fractured in mandibular incisors. In the first test, two sets of five instruments were separately and partially immersed in each solution, and the electrical current was evaluated over 30 min. In the second test, 45 PTU F1 instruments were fractured within the root canals of mandibular incisors and subjected to potentiodynamic polarization for 30 min. The electrical current and the variations in the length of PTU F1 fragments were measured. The data were analysed statistically (anova and Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests, respectively). RESULTS Solution 2 was associated with more corrosive effects in both tests. In the first test, the PTU F1 instruments immersed in solution 2 had a higher electrical current (P < 0.001) and had a total dissolution time of approximately 540 s. In the second test, a larger difference between the baseline and final lengths of the fragments was noted in solution 2 (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION Saturation of fluoridated solution with sodium chloride led to an increase in electrical current and microscopic reductions in the length of fractured instrument fragments subjected to electrochemical dissolution.
Polymer adsorption on small spheres. A scaling approach

2014 The adsorption of polymer chains on small objects in solution, such as micelles, is discussed using scaling results to describe the confinement energy. Adsorption on small spheres and on clusters of such spheres is discussed and appropriate power laws for the dimensions and energies are derived. For non-interacting objects the segregation of a dense, gel-like phase, is predicted. The direct relevance to solutions which can form micelles is also discussed briefly. LE JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE TOME 38, AOUT 1977, Classification Physics Abstracts 5.600 7.852
Modulation of Endocrine Pancreas Development but not β-Cell Carcinogenesis by Sprouty4

Sprouty (Spry) proteins modulate signal transduction pathways elicited by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). Depending on cell type and the particular RTK, Spry proteins exert dual functions: They can either repress RTK-mediated signaling pathways, mainly by interfering with the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway or sustaining RTK signal transduction, for example by sequestering the E3 ubiquitin-ligase c-Cbl and thus preventing ubiquitylation, internalization, and degradation of RTKs. Here, by the inducible expression of murine Spry4 in pancreatic β cells, we have assessed the functional role of Spry proteins in the development of pancreatic islets of Langerhans in normal mice and in the Rip1Tag2 transgenic mouse model of β-cell carcinogenesis. β cell–specific expression of mSpry4 provokes a significant reduction in islet size, an increased number of α cells per islet area, and impaired islet cell type segregation. Functional analysis of islet cell differentiation in cultured PANC-1 cells shows that mSpry4 represses adhesion and migration of differentiating pancreatic endocrine cells, most likely by affecting the subcellular localization of the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B. In contrast, transgenic expression of mSpry4 during β-cell carcinogenesis does not significantly affect tumor outgrowth and progression to tumor malignancy. Rather, tumor cells seem to escape mSpry4 transgene expression. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(3):468–82)
A survey on context based similarity techniques for image retrieval

Most of the current research efforts in multimedia domain have been done for improving the performance of the image retrieval system by reducing the semantic gap. Semantic gap is a gap between image low level features represented by machines and high level human perception used to perceive the image. Majority of the image retrieval system uses image low level feature such as content or visual properties of an image for retrieval. Image high level features that is image context such as keywords, tags, captions related to images are also important as they play key role in reducing the semantic gap more effectively when compared with image low level features. Therefore by considering image high level features in image retrieval systems we can easily reduce the semantic gap and effectively retrieve the images. This paper thus presents the survey of various techniques used for measuring the similarity between image contexts, their merits and limitations. From the surveyed techniques, we have also analyzed that most of the image context based similarity techniques requires very less computation cost using which an efficient image retrieval system can be built.
Corporate Pensions and Financial Distress

We examine the role of corporate pension plans in determining how firms restructure in financial distress. Both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans can have significant exposures to the company’s own stock, imposing significant losses on employees if the firm defaults and/or files for bankruptcy. We find that firms with DB plans typically have little exposure to the stock prior to default; the degree of underfunding increases significantly as firms near default, but is not related to restructuring types (bankruptcies versus out of court restructurings). In contrast, large exposures to company stock in DC plans often are not reduced prior to default. High levels of own-company stock ownership are positively related to default and bankruptcy probabilities. Our evidence suggests a link between employee-ownership related managerial entrenchment and default risk.
Influence of Thyroxine and Thyroxine with Growth Hormone and Prolactin on Splenocyte Subsets and on the Expression of Interleukin-2 and Prolactin Receptors on Splenocyte Subsets of Snell Dwarf Mice

Abstract A number of immune parameters were examined in Snell dwarf mice and compared with normal littermates. The number of splenocytes per gram of body weight were significantly decreased in dwarf animals, and the decrease was distributed throughout the CD4, CD8, B220, and MAC-1 subsets. The percentage of CD4 and CD8 splenocytes was markedly increased, and the percentage of B220 and MAC-1 splenocytes markedly decreased, in dwarf animals. In addition, the percentage of splenocyte T cells constitutively expressing interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors and prolactin (PRL) receptors was decreased, with the CD4 subset presenting the most dramatic effect. The effects of replacing the hormones deficient in the Snell dwarf mouse (i.e., growth hormone [GH], prolactin [PRL], and thyroxine [T4] on the above immune parameters were also examined. The administration of T4 alone for 10 days corrected the defect in splenocyte cell numbers per grams body weight for both the CD4 and CD8 subsets, but only partially corrected the defect for the B220 and MAC-1 subsets. The addition of rbGH and rbPRL for the last 3 days of T4 injection had little additive effect on the number of CD4 and CD8 cells but increased the number of B220 and MAC-1 subsets to values comparable to those of normal animals on the basis of body weight. The decrease in the percentage of CD4 splenocytes in dwarf animals constitutively expressing IL-2R was partially corrected by T4 injection and completely corrected by the addition of rbGH and rbPRL for the last 3 days. The decrease in CD4 splenocytes constitutively expressing PRLR was partially corrected by T4 injection alone and the addition of rbGH and rPRL resulted in percentages comparable to that of normal animals. The results indicate that Snell dwarf animals are deficient in immune parameters and that the administration of the hormones lacking in this animal can correct the deficiencies.
Hypertension and Personality

&NA; Scores on personality measures of 12 male subjects with essential hypertension have been correlated with haemodynamic measures of cardiovascular functioning. A relationship was demonstrated between blood pressure levels and total peripheral resistance at rest; and degree of change after autonomic blockade, and scores on the deference and abasement scales of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and the IPAT Anxiety Questionnaire and Cornell Medical Index scores. These findings lend support to previous findings which have indicated the importance of suppressed emotions in the aetiology of hypertension.
Eastern Chimpanzees, but Not Bonobos, Represent a Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Reservoir

ABSTRACT Chimpanzees in west central Africa (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) are endemically infected with simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVcpzPtt) that have crossed the species barrier to humans and gorillas on at least five occasions, generating pandemic and nonpandemic forms of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) as well as gorilla SIV (SIVgor). Chimpanzees in east Africa (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) are also infected with SIVcpz; however, their viruses (SIVcpzPts) have never been found in humans. To examine whether this is due to a paucity of natural infections, we used noninvasive methods to screen wild-living eastern chimpanzees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Rwanda. We also screened bonobos (Pan paniscus) in the DRC, a species not previously tested for SIV in the wild. Fecal samples (n = 3,108) were collected at 50 field sites, tested for species and subspecies origin, and screened for SIVcpz antibodies and nucleic acids. Of 2,565 samples from eastern chimpanzees, 323 were antibody positive and 92 contained viral RNA. The antibody-positive samples represented 76 individuals from 19 field sites, all sampled north of the Congo River in an area spanning 250,000 km2. In this region, SIVcpzPts was common and widespread, with seven field sites exhibiting infection rates of 30% or greater. The overall prevalence of SIVcpzPts infection was 13.4% (95% confidence interval, 10.7% to 16.5%). In contrast, none of the 543 bonobo samples from six sites was antibody positive. All newly identified SIVcpzPts strains clustered in strict accordance to their subspecies origin; however, they exhibited considerable genetic diversity, especially in protein domains known to be under strong host selection pressure. Thus, the absence of SIVcpzPts zoonoses cannot be explained by an insufficient primate reservoir. Instead, greater adaptive hurdles may have prevented the successful colonization of humans by P. t. schweinfurthii viruses.