Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Twist on Spintronics

A thin layer of ordered DNA acts as an efficient spin filter for photoemitted electrons from a gold surface. Great hopes exist for improving the storage and processing of information by using not only the charge of electrons, as is done in everyday electronics, but by also exploiting a quantum mechanical property of electrons known as spin. In the rapidly growing field of spintronics (1), the electron spin is essentially a minute magnet that can be pointing either “up” or “down. ” The most efficient way to manipulate spins is by means of a magnetic field, either externally applied or existing inside a ferromagnetic material. By sending electrons through ferromagnetic materials, scientists have achieved spin-filtering effects, discriminating between electrons with “up” and “down” spins, with selectivity up to 25% (2). On page 894 of this issue, Göhler et al. (3) describe a surprisingly efficient method for electronic spin filtering. They have studied how electrons emitted by a gold substrate, upon absorption of light, pass through a self-assembled DNA monolayer on the gold surface. In particular, they have studied the spin of the electrons after their passage through the DNA layer and have found that one spin type passes through much more easily, meaning that this layer acts as a spin filter, strongly hindering the passage of the other spin type. This filter effect is observed only if the DNA is assembled on the gold surface as a closely packed ordered array of helices, and is stronger if the helices are longer, reaching selectivities of 60%. For chaotic assemblies of floppy DNA chains on the gold surface, the spin filter effect was not observed.
Extruded Microstructured Fiber Lasers

We present the first fiber laser fabricated from an extruded microstructured preform. This laser is also, to the best of our knowledge, the first microstructured tellurite glass fiber laser. The threshold and efficiency of the 980-nm pumped, 1.5-μm erbium-doped tellurite laser were measured to be 1.5 mW and 13%, respectively.
Influence of Source-drain Tunneling on the Subthreshold Behavior of sub-10nm Double-gate MOSFETs

A microscopic tight-binding formalism is used to analyze source-drain tunneling and subthreshold currents in very short (< 12 nm) double-gate transistors. Tunneling is found to enhance source-drain currents substantially, especially at low temperatures. We quantify and discuss the corresponding degradation of subthreshold swings and compare with results obtained with the WKB approximation. The energy dependence of the effective tunnel mass is predicted and identified as an additional factor that deteriorates the subthreshold behavior.
Job satisfaction and mental health of Sri Lankan doctors

The medical profession has long been recognised as one of the most respected and prestigious professions. However recent studies suggest that increasingly lesser number of doctors believe their profession as desirable or satisfying and this trend is worsening (Taylor et al., 2005, Schernhammer and Colditz, 2004, Clarke and Singh, 2004, Firth-Cozens, 2003, Burbeck et al., 2002). High work load, increased expectations from patients and relatives, interference with family life, poor remuneration, restricted autonomy in practice and repeated exposure to extremes of human suffering have been cited as possible sources of discontent within the medical profession (Taylor et al., 2005, Schernhammer and Colditz, 2004, Clarke and Singh, 2004, FirthCozens, 2003, Burbeck et al., 2002). Psychiatric morbidity and mortality are higher among doctors. Increased demands at work, preexisting personality characteristics, reluctance or inability to seek treatment along with poor job satisfaction being contributory factors (Taylor et al., 2005, Schernhammer and Colditz, 2004, FirthCozens, 2003, Burbeck et al., 2002). Taylor et al reported that the proportion of British medical specialists with psychiatric morbidity is 32% (Taylor et al., 2005). Suicides among doctors are significantly higher than that of the general population (Schernhammer and Colditz, 2004).
Users' perception of privacy in multimedia communication

Perceived infringements of privacy can cause breakdowns in technologically mediated interactions, leading to user rejection of the technology. This research aims to identify the impact that users' perception of privacy has on their attitudes to, and behavior within, multimedia communication environments. Using both qualitative and quantitative data from various multimedia communication settings, 3 major factors have been identified (Information Sensitivity, Receiver & Usage) and integrated into a framework. In addition, a mismatch between perceived and actual privacy risks has been identified, which increases perceived invasions of privacy and produces negative emotive responses.
From Research to Application : Creating and applying models of British RP English rhythm and intonation

Wiktor Jassem’s contributions and suggestions for further work have been an essential influence on my own work. In 1977, Wiktor agreed to come to my Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory at the University of Calgary to collaborate on problems associated with British English rhythm and intonation in computer speech synthesis from text. The cooperation resulted in innovative models which were used in implementing the world’s first completely functional and still operational real-time system for articulatory speech synthesis by rule from plain text. The package includes the software tools needed for developing the databases required for synthesising other languages, as well as providing stimuli for psychophysical experiments in phonetics and phonology
Betaine recovers hypothalamic neural injury by inhibiting astrogliosis and inflammation in fructose-fed rats.

SCOPE Hypothalamic astrogliosis and inflammation cause neural injury, playing a critical role in metabolic syndrome development. This study investigated whether and how fructose caused hypothalamic astrogliosis and inflammation in vivo and in vitro. The inhibitory effects of betaine on hypothalamic neural injury, astrogliosis, and inflammation were explored to address its improvement of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS Rats or astrocytes were exposed to fructose and then treated with betaine. Neural injury, proinflammatory markers, Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB) pathway, and histone deacetylases 3 (HDAC3) expressions were evaluated. The reduction of pro-opiomelanocortin and melanocortin 4 receptor positive neurons in fructose-fed rats was ameliorated by betaine. Moreover, fructose induced astrogliosis and proinflammatory cytokine production by increasing TLR4, MyD88 (where MyD88 is myeloid differentiation factor 88), and NF-κB expression in rat hypothalamus and astrocytes. HDAC3 overexpression preserved the prolonged inflammation in fructose-stimulated astrocytes by regulating nuclear NF-κB-dependent transcription. Betaine suppressed TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation and HDAC3 expression, contributing to its inhibition of hypothalamic astrogliosis and inflammation in animal and cell models. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that betaine inhibits fructose-caused astrogliosis and inflammation by the suppression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation and HDAC3 expression to protect against hypothalamic neural injury, which, at least partly, contributes to the improvement of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome.
Adenylate cyclase 5 is required for melanophore and male pattern development in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are colorful fish that have attracted the attention of pigmentation researchers for almost a century. Here, we report that the blond phenotype of the guppy is caused by a spontaneous mutation in the guppy ortholog of adenylate cyclase 5 (adcy5). Using double digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, we linked the blond phenotype to a candidate region of 118 kb, in which we subsequently identified a 2‐bp deletion in adcy5 that alters splicing and leads to a premature stop codon. We show that adcy5, which affects life span and melanoma growth in mouse, is required for melanophore development and formation of male orange pigmentation traits in the guppy. We find that some components of the male orange pattern are particularly sensitive to loss of Adcy5 function. Our work thus reveals a function for Adcy5 in patterning of fish color ornaments.
Dissolution Enhancement of Domperidone Fast Disintegrating Tablet Using Modified Locust Bean Gum by Solid Dispersion Technique

Enhancement of dissolution characteristics of poorly soluble drug Domperidone by solid dispersion technique using modified locust bean gum (MLBG) and further conversion into tablet dosage form with fast dissolving characteristics is being explored in current study. Solid dispersions (SD) were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. F1, F3, F5 and F7 batches of SD (1:1, 1:3, 1:5 and 1:7 ratio of drug to MLBG) were prepared. Maximum solubility was observed in 1:3 ratio (F3 batch) in comparison to pure drug. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy studies revealed no interaction of drug to polymer MLBG. Transition from crystalline to amorphous state of drug was analyzed by X-RD studies. SEM studies revealed change in surface characteristics of drug in solid dispersions. In vitro release studies revealed maximum dissolution in F3 (93% in 30 min). Further solid dispersion batches F3 was compressed into tablets including other excipients and crosspovidone as superdisintegrant. The in vitro release from tablet batch revealed better dissolution characteristics (95% in 30 min) in comparison to marketed tablet (50% in 60 min). Therefore, MLBG solid dispersion tablets of domperidone can be a convenient dosage form with enhanced dissolution characteristics.
Algorithms for Extracting Correct Critical Points and Constructing Topological Graphs from Discrete Geographical Elevation Data

Researchers in the fields of computer graphics and geographical information systems (GISs) have extensively studied the methods of extracting terrain features such as peaks, pits, passes, ridges, and ravines from discrete elevation data. The existing techniques, however, do not guarantee the topological integrity of the extracted features because of their heuristic operations, which results in spurious features. Furthermore, there have been no algorithms for constructing topological graphs such as the surface network and the Reeb graph from the extracted peaks, pits, and passes. This paper presents new algorithms for extracting features and constructing the topological graphs using the features. Our algorithms enable us to extract correct terrain features; i.e., our method extracts the critical points that satisfy the Euler formula, which represents the topological invariant of smooth surfaces. This paper also provides an algorithm that converts the surface network to the Reeb graph for representing contour changes with respect to the height. The discrete elevation data used in this paper is a set of sample points on a terrain surface. Examples are presented to show that the algorithms also appeal to our visual cognition.
Efficacy of Drugs Used in Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux: Network Meta-Analysis

Introduction: It is important to rank the clinical efficacy of different anti-reflux agents to promote their rational use. Objective: To combine the results of randomized clinical trials that have compared the incidence of symptoms related to gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) with/without endoscopic evidence of oesophagitis in a network meta-analysis and thus rank the main anti-reflux therapies according to the magnitude of their clinical efficacy. Method: Inclusion criteria: 1) randomized controlled trials that compare anti-reflux agents (alginates (ALG), proton-pump inhibitors (PPI), H2 histamine receptor antagonists (H2RA), antacids (AA), gastrokinetics (GK)) in open designs as compared to placebo or in comparative designs (head-to-head); 2) outcome of interest measured in some scale representing the significant improvement of reflux symptoms; 3) GER diagnosis with/without oesophagitis endoscopic evidence. We collected available clinical trials for each one of the direct comparisons. The Odds Ratio (OR) was used additionally to calculating lnOR and its Standard Error (SE[lnOR]) to measure effects in a network meta-analysis. Results: Network meta-analysis has placebo as a reference intervention. Initial treatments with PPI or ALG are the two interventions that significantly differ from the others: H2RA, AA and GK. At the same time, the latter are significantly different from the placebo. In contrast to placebo, ORs for ALG, PPI, H2RA, AA and GK were 4.72 (95% CI: 3.39, 6.57), 4.00 (95% CI: 3.30, 4.85), 1.73 (95% CI: 1.54, 1.95), 1.41 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.76), and 1.86 (95% CI: 1.32, 2.63), respectively. Conclusion: ALG or PPI seem to be the two most effective alternatives in short-time management of GER with or without oesophagitis.
Activation of heteroliganded mouse muscle nicotinic receptors

The activation of the mouse muscle‐type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor was studied in the presence of carbachol, and in the simultaneous presence of carbachol and choline. The channel currents were recorded under steady‐state conditions using cell‐attached single‐channel patch clamp, and during transient exposures to the agonists using a piezo‐driven fast application system. The presence of choline resulted in inhibition of currents elicited by carbachol. The inhibitory effect of choline manifested as a reduction in the effective opening rate (increase in the mean intracluster closed time duration) in single‐channel recordings. In the fast application experiments, the peak current amplitude was reduced and the current rise time increased when choline was co‐applied with carbachol. The data were analysed according to a model in which receptor interactions with carbachol and choline resulted in three types of ligation: receptors occupied by two carbachol molecules, receptors occupied by two choline molecules, and receptors in which one agonist binding site was occupied by carbachol and the other by choline, i.e. heteroliganded receptors. All three agonist‐bound receptor populations could open albeit with different efficacies. The affinity of the resting receptor to choline was estimated to be 1–2 mm, and heteroliganded receptors opened with an opening rate constant of ∼3000 s−1. The results of the analysis suggest that the presence of choline in the neuromuscular junction in vivo has little effect on the time course of synaptic currents. Nevertheless, the contribution of heteroliganded receptors should be taken into consideration when the receptor is exposed simultaneously to two or more agonists.
Expression of the Biofilm-Associated Protein Interferes with Host Protein Receptors of Staphylococcus aureus and Alters the Infective Process

ABSTRACT The adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to soluble proteins and extracellular-matrix components of the host is one of the key steps in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections. S. aureus presents a family of adhesins called MSCRAMMs (microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules) that specifically recognize host matrix components. We examined the influence of biofilm-associated protein (Bap) expression on S. aureus adherence to host proteins, epithelial cell cultures, and mammary gland sections and on colonization of the mammary gland in an in vivo infection model. Bap-positive strain V329 showed lower adherence to immobilized fibrinogen and fibronectin than isogenic Bap-deficient strain m556. Bacterial adherence to histological sections of mammary gland and bacterial internalization into 293 cells were significantly lower in the Bap-positive strains. In addition, the Bap-negative strain showed significantly higher colonization in vivo of sheep mammary glands than the Bap-positive strain. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the expression of the Bap protein interferes with functional properties of the MSCRAMM proteins, preventing initial bacterial attachment to host tissues and cellular internalization.
Evaluation of agricultural disinfectants and necrotic enteritis preventatives in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of time, temperature and organic matter on disinfectant efficacy. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) were used as organisms to represent Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, respectively, commonly found in poultry housing. Three independent experiments evaluated the effect of temperature, time, and organic matter on the efficacy of working concentrations of disinfectants against representative organisms found in commercial poultry housing. Quaternary ammonium, chlorhexidine, phenolic and binary ammonium based solutions represented disinfectants commonly used within the poultry industry. Results from these experiments indicated that long term storage of disinfectants will reduce their efficacy against SA. However, a reduction (p ? 0.05) in efficacy was observed with the phenolic compound against ST at elevated temperatures. Following the inclusion of organic matter (OM), reduced (p ? 0.05) efficacy of all disinfectants was observed in a dose dependent manner against both organisms, with the exception of the phenolic compound against SA. Fresh disinfectant performed better (p ? 0.05) in the presence of OM than 30 wk old disinfectant. These results emphasize the need to use fresh disinfectants and that OM should be removed prior to disinfection. We also evaluated the effect of bismuth citrate, lactose and citric acids on the development of necrotic enteritis in broilers. Clostridium perfringens? associated necrotic enteritis in poultry causes significant loss and increased morbidity in the industry. Due to the reduced usage of antibiotic growth promoters, the incidence of necrotic enteritis has increased. These experiments evaluated different levels of bismuth citrate and bismuth citrate with lactose or citric acid added, on lesion development, bacterial intestinal colonization of C. perfringens and pH levels in the gut of broilers orally challenged with C.perfringens. Results from this investigation indicate that bismuth citrate at 100 ppm and 200 ppm caused a reduction (p ? 0.05) in C. perfringens colonization and intestinal lesion development. The addition of dietary lactose to bismuth citrate enhanced the effect of bismuth citrate on intestinal lesion development. These data suggest that bismuth citrate alone or in combination with dietary lactose will reduce intestinal lesion development in broilers with necrotic enteritis.
Methods for therapeutic trials in COPD: lessons from the TORCH trial

The TORCH (Towards a Revolution in COPD Health) trial has highlighted some important issues in the design and analysis of long term trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These include collection of off-treatment exacerbation data, analysis of exacerbation rates and the effect of inclusion of patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) prior to randomisation. When effective medications are available to patients who withdraw, inclusion of off-treatment data can mask important treatment effects on exacerbation rates. Analysis of on-treatment data avoids this bias but it needs to be combined with careful analysis of withdrawal patterns across treatments. The negative binomial model is currently the best approach to statistical analysis of exacerbation rates, while analysis of time to exacerbation can supplement this approach. In the TORCH trial, exacerbation rates were higher among patients with previous use of ICS compared to those with no prior use on all study treatments. Retrospective subgroup analysis suggests ICS reduced exacerbation rates compared with placebo, regardless of prior use of ICS before entry to the study. Factorial analysis provides an alternative analysis for trials with combinations of treatments, but assumes no interaction between treatments, an assumption which cannot be verified by a significance test. No definitive conclusions can yet be drawn on whether ICS treatment has an effect on mortality.
Web services QoS evaluation and service selection framework - a proxy-oriented approach

While Web service models become increasingly popular and many service providers start to offer all kinds of Web services, the quality of service (QoS) for Web services has become an important factor for service requesters to consider during the selection process of appropriate Web services. In this paper, we present an evaluation and selection framework (CosmosQoS) for QoS-required Web services. A novel architecture and reputation appraisal model to monitor, store and evaluate the physical usage and post-condition of requested Web services in a requester-located network is proposed to better support service requesters such that they can select suitable Web services based on their QoS requirements, trustworthiness of Web services, and effect of network connection and configuration between service requesters and providers.
Gas Exchange and Phytoluminography of Single Red Kidney Bean Leaves during Periods of Induced Stomatal Oscillations: A Demonstration of an Integrated, Spatially Resolving Physiometric Technique.

This report examines the capabilities of a new approach to the study of gas exchange and electron transport properties of single, intact leaves. The method combines conventional aspects of analysis with an image intensification system that records the spatial distribution of delayed light emission (DLE) over single leaf surfaces. The combined system was used to investigate physiological perturbations induced by exposure of single leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris cv ;California Light Red' to a combination of SO(2) (0.5 microliters per liter) and ozone (0.1 microliters per liter). Exposure of one-half of a leaf to this combination induced DLE and stomatal oscillations, but only in the half of the leaf exposed to the combined gases. Examination of phytoluminographs taken during these oscillations revealed distinct leaf patches where the greatest changes in DLE intensity occurred. This phenomenon is interpreted to be evidence that control of stomatal activity of intact plant leaves occurs within discrete leaf areas defined within the vascular network.
Identification of Non-Stationary Magnetic Field Sources Using the Matching Pursuit Method

The measurements of electromagnetic field emissions, performed on board a vessel have showed that, in this specific environment, a high level of non-stationary magnetic fields (MFs) is observed. The adaptive time-frequency method can be used successfully to analyze this type of measured signal. It allows one to specify the time interval in which the individual frequency components of the signal occur. In this paper, the method of identification of non-stationary MF sources based on the matching pursuit (MP) algorithm is presented. It consists of the decomposition of an examined time-waveform into the linear expansion of chirplet atoms and the analysis of the matrix of their parameters. The main feature of the proposed method is the modification of the chirplet’s matrix in a way that atoms, whose normalized energies are lower than a certain threshold, will be rejected. On the time-frequency planes of the spectrograms, obtained separately for each remaining chirlpet, it can clearly identify the time-frequency structures appearing in the examined signal. The choice of a threshold defines the computing speed and precision of the performed analysis. The method was implemented in the virtual application and used for processing real data, obtained from measurements of time-vary MF emissions onboard a ship.