Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive and harmful autobiographical remembering after the loss of a loved one

Abstract Objectives: Remembering one’s personal past serves psychosocial functions. Adaptive use of autobiographical memory is related to well-being but little research has focused on grief. We address this in two studies theoretically grounded in the model of reminiscence and health. Method: Participants were adults who were actively grieving, and in both studies, completed the Reminiscence Functions Scale and grief-related measures (i.e. feelings of grief, positive changes in life perspective). Study 1 focused on uses for generally recalling one’s past and Study 2 on uses of memories of the deceased. Results: Across studies, self-negative ways of remembering were associated with stronger feelings of grief and also mediated relations between social ways of remembering and grief. Self-positive ways of remembering the deceased (Study 2) were associated with having experienced positive changes in life perspective since the loss. Conclusion: The discussion focuses on how memories of one’s personal past are linked to the experience of loss, even years into bereavement.
Silicon photonic microelectromechanical phase shifters for scalable programmable photonics.

Programmable photonic integrated circuits are emerging as an attractive platform for applications such as quantum information processing and artificial neural networks. However, current programmable circuits are limited in scalability by the lack of low-power and low-loss phase shifters in commercial foundries. Here, we demonstrate a compact phase shifter with low-power photonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) actuation on a silicon photonics foundry platform (IMEC's iSiPP50G). The device attains (2.9π±π) phase shift at 1550 nm, with an insertion loss of (0.33-0.10+0.15)dB, a Vπ of (10.7-1.4+2.2)V, and an Lπ of (17.2-4.3+8.8)µm. We also measured an actuation bandwidth f-3dB of 1.03 MHz in air. We believe that our demonstration of a low-loss and low-power photonic MEMS phase shifter implemented in silicon photonics foundry compatible technology lifts a main roadblock toward the scale-up of programmable photonic integrated circuits.
A conserved guided entry of tail-anchored pathway is involved in the trafficking of a subset of membrane proteins in Plasmodium falciparum

Tail-anchored (TA) proteins are defined by the absence of N-terminus signal sequence and the presence of a single transmembrane domain (TMD) proximal to their C-terminus. They play fundamental roles in cellular processes including vesicular trafficking, protein translocation and quality control. Some of the TA proteins are post-translationally integrated by the Guided Entry of TA (GET) pathway to the cellular membranes; with their N-terminus oriented towards the cytosol and C-terminus facing the organellar lumen. The TA repertoire and the GET machinery have been extensively characterized in the yeast and mammalian systems, however, they remain elusive in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. In this study, we bioinformatically predicted a total of 63 TA proteins in the P. falciparum proteome and revealed the association of a subset with the P. falciparum homolog of Get3 (PfGet3). In addition, our proximity labelling studies either definitively identified or shortlisted the other eligible GET constituents, and our in vitro association studies validated associations between PfGet3 and the corresponding homologs of Get4 and Get2 in P. falciparum. Collectively, this study reveals the presence of proteins with hallmark TA signatures and the involvement of evolutionary conserved GET trafficking pathway for their targeted delivery within the parasite.
AUSTWICKIA CHELONAE IN A WILD GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS) AND EVIDENCE OF POSITIVE SELECTION ON THE DIPHTHERIA-LIKE TOXIN GENE

Abstract: Austwickia (Dermatophilus) chelonae is a filamentous, Gram-positive Actinobacteria in the Dermatophilaceae family. It has caused fatal granulomatous disease in diverse captive reptile species on three continents, but its presence in wild or free-ranging populations was unknown. An adult female gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) was presented euhydrated, but cachectic and infested with ticks, with two firm, encapsulated masses over the cranioventral neck and right stifle. The tortoise had moderate nonregenerative anemia and evidence of inflammation; plasma biochemistry data was within normal limits. Fine needle aspirate of the neck lesion revealed abundant necrosis and aggregates of cocci. Computed tomography delineated the masses and revealed an additional mass adjacent to the left zygomatic bone. After surgical excision, histology identified chronic granulomas with intralesional filamentous bacteria. Pan-bacterial 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing of the masses identified A. chelonae. Despite treatment with oxytetracycline and ceftazidime, the tortoise deteriorated and was euthanatized. An esophageal lesion consistent with A. chelonae was seen on postmortem examination, although it was determined that the tortoise ultimately succumbed to fungal pneumonia caused by Metarhizium robertsii, an entomopathogenic biotoxin sprayed as insect control. This case reveals A. chelonae is present in free-ranging chelonians in North America. This organism produces a toxin gene similar to diphtheria toxin, one of the most potent known biotoxins, which has not been previously identified outside the genus Corynebacterium. Novel PCR primers were designed for the toxin and rpoB genes, which were amplified and sequenced from two cases and compared with two available genomes. Selection analysis revealed that the toxin gene is under positive selection, which implies it interacts significantly with the immune system, making it a good candidate for immunodiagnostic test development.
Dual‐band balun bandpass filter using coupled lines with shunt open‐ended stubs

A new type of dual‐band balun bandpass filter (balun BPF) based on length reduced coupled lines and shunt open‐ended stubs is proposed in this letter to realize integration of balun and bandpass filter with dual‐band property for miniaturization and multifunction of modern RF front‐ends. Besides design details presented, a balun BPF centered at 2.45 and 5.25 GHz with a 130 MHz bandwidth of each passband is implemented by the proposed method. Desired balun‐type and filter‐type functionalities are observed at both passbands with great out‐of‐band rejection between them. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2358–2360, 2014
Epidemiology of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Iranian Children Aged 0-15 Years (2008-2013)

Objective Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy characterized by a rapid progressive symmetric weakness. The GBS is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in most parts of the world. This study was carried out to investigate the epidemiological features of GBS in Iranian children. Materials & Methods The data were extracted using the AFP surveillance system that is a national screening program to detect all cases of AFP aged 0-15 years around the country. National Population Statistics data and AFP demographic data during 2008-2013 intervals were obtained from the relevant authorities in the Ministry of Health in Iran. The GBS cases were then extracted from the aforementioned database. The Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 1884 cases of GBS were identified in the study period, and the average annual incidence rate was 1.72 per 100,000 individuals. The highest incidence rate was within the range of 0-5 years. There was no statistically significant relationship between the incidence of GBS and the season in the whole country. Conclusion High costs of GBS treatment, morbidity and occasional mortality, and number of new cases, which is estimated to be approximately 300 individuals per year, need the particular attention of the health system.
The Efficacy of Local Flaps in the Treatment of Traumatic Scalp Defects

Abstract Background Scalp defects represent a therapeutic challenge. The aim of this study is to present our experience with local and regional flaps in the treatment of trauma-induced scalp defects. Furthermore, a comparison with other surgical techniques was performed. Methods A retrospective evaluation of patient records was performed. Only patients who underwent surgery using local flaps between January 2010 and September 2020 due to traumatic scalp defects were included in the study. Results In all, 10 cases were identified (3 females, 7 males, average age at surgery of 46.5 years [range: 18–82 years]). Six patients underwent surgery due to tissue defects and four due to scar keloids. Three patients experienced minor postoperative complications, one of which required additional surgery. The mean defect size was 35.75 cm2 (range: 4–79 cm2) among the four patients where the defect size could be determined retrospectively. The mean inpatient follow-up was 12.4 days (range: 2–34 days). Conclusions Local flaps can be widely used. In carefully selected cases, they have the fewest disadvantages of all surgical techniques. In our experience, large angiosomes of the main scalp arteries allow the treatment of defects larger than 30 cm2 with local flaps. Our experience also suggests that the dimensions of flap length to flap width can exceed a ratio of 2:1 in the scalp.
Effect of Diamine Bridge on Reactivity of Tetradentate ONNO Nickel(II) Complexes.

Two new square planar ONNO nickel(II) complexes C2_core and C3_core have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and DFT calculations. The experimental results revealed the effect of the length of diamine bridge in the ligand on the behavior of the studied complexes in the reaction with N -heterocyclic aromatic amines, while DFT calculations provided a basis for the rationalization of this observation. The complex with propylenediamine bridge ( C3_core ) readily reacts with pyridine and its derivatives with the formation of high-spin (paramagnetic) complexes with octahedral geometry characterized by X-ray diffraction; electron-donating substituents on the pyridine ring facilitate the coordination of axial ligands. On the contrary, the complex with ethylenediamine bridge ( C2_core) does not undergo such a reaction because of the high deformation energy of the core required for the formation of C2_Py complex.
The Effect of High-Scatter Shielding Geometries in Validating the Dose Inferred by N-Visage™

The aim of this paper is to further validate the physical capability of N-VisageTM under more challenging shielding geometries, when the number of mean free paths is greater than one. N-VisageTM is a recently established technique developed at REACT Engineering Ltd. The software locates radionuclide sources and contours radiation magnitude. The N-VisageTM software uses a geometric computer model combined with measured spectra. The software is able to estimate source locations through shielding materials by using mass attenuation coefficients to calculate the number of unscattered gamma photons arriving at the detector, and build-up factors to estimate scatter contribution to dose rate. The experiments described in this paper were carried out in a high-scatter environment using cobalt-60 and caesium-137 sources, these two sources are the primary sources of radiological contamination found in the nuclear industry. It is hoped that this will further assist in the identification, characterisation and removal of buried radiologically contaminated waste.
Static VAr compensator (STATCOM) based on single-phase chain circuit converters

Voltage-sourced converter circuits using gate turn-off (GTO) thyristors have been proposed as an alternative means of providing static VAr compensation (SVC). Such 'advanced SVCs' are classified under the nomenclature STATCOM (STATic COMpensator). The published converter circuits suitable for power system application include the classical Graetz bridge and the multilevel converter. Alternative circuit arrangement has developed with significant advantages in terms of cost and performance; this is in the form of a number of GTO converter links connected in series to form a chain and is referred to as a chain circuit converter. The paper discusses the chain circuit converter and its application to VAr compensation followed by the design and simulated performance of a three-phase STATCOM under both steady state and transient operating conditions. The technical advantages of the chain circuit converter compared with other known arrangements of STATCOM are given. These include good harmonic performance, fast response and improved output at low voltage compared with conventional SVCs. The paper includes comments on the successful testing of two prototype chain links for both leading and lagging reactive currents up to 2000 A peak and concludes with a description of the equipment now being designed for commercial service.
Algorithm‐based, drive design for a ventricular assist device

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a design process for a drive of a ventricular assist device (VAD) under the consideration of constraints given by the application. In this case, these constraints are the possibility to implant the VAD system, providing a sufficient perfusion of the human body and cutting down development costs.Design/methodology/approach – In the described approach an optimization algorithm is integrated in the initial stage of the design process for a drive system.Findings – During simulations the optimum drive design under the implantation constraints of the given VAD system is found. The key constraints of this design, which are torque, axial force and losses, are validated during initial test bench measurements of a drive prototype.Practical implications – The described design process enables an optimum drive design from the beginning of a VAD development. This reduces the time to initial and chronic in vivo test, which are required to be approved for the market late.
Adaptive Kalman Filter with Multiple Fading Factors for UAV State Estimation

Abstract In general case, as an algorithm for estimating the parameters of a linear system, Kalman filter can be utilized without any problem. However, when there is a malfunction in the estimation system, the filter fails and the outputs become inaccurate. In this paper, an Adaptive Kalman Filter with multiple fading factors based gain correction for the case of malfunctions in the estimation system is presented. By the use of an adaptive matrix constituted of multiple fading factors, faulty measurements are taken into consideration with small weight and the estimation errors are corrected without affecting the good estimation characteristic of the remaining process. Adaptive Kalman Filter algorithm is tested by simulations for the implementation in the navigation system of an UAV platform. The filter performance has been evaluated for different kinds of measurement malfunctions.
Experience and Mortality Patterns : 4-Decade Follow-up in a Population-based Cohort

Author affiliations: Braun School of Public Health, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 99112102, Israel (Iaroslav Youssim, Orly Manor, Yechiel Friedlander, Hagit Hochner); Braun School of Public Health, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel (Ronit Calderon-Margalit, Ora Paltiel); Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (Malka Gorfine); and Institute for Urban Health, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, United States (David S. Siscovick)
Design of PCR Primers for the mcrA Genes Detection of Methanogen Communities

Methanogens play an important role to carbon cycling, catalyzing the production of methane and carbon dioxide, both potent green house gases, during organic matter degradation in anaerobic environments. Therefore, it is necessary to better understand microorganisms that produce natural gas. Indeed, methanogens are difficult to perform through culture based methods. In addition, the culture independent methods using the 16S rRNA gene also revealed some disadvantages. For these reasons, the culture independent molecular techniques using the specific catabolic genes such as methyl coenzyme M reductase (MCR) were studied. In this study, a primer set which can amplify specific fragments from a wide variety of mcrA gene was designed based on the homologous regions of 100 mcrA genes listed in the GenBank. PCR with the mcrA primers amplified DNA fragments of the expected size from all the six samples which obtained from biogas production reactors. In addition, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis PCR analysis using our designed primers also revealed the diversity of mcrA gene in each sample. These results revealed that our primers were successfully to detect the mcrA genes and it is also helpful to know the diversity of mcrA genes in methanogen communities.
Estimation of viral kinetics model parameters in young and aged SARS-CoV-2 infected macaques

The SARS-CoV-2 virus disproportionately causes serious illness and death in older individuals. In order to have the greatest impact in decreasing the human toll caused by the virus, antiviral treatment should be targeted to older patients. For this, we need a better understanding of the differences in viral dynamics between SARS-CoV-2 infection in younger and older adults. In this study, we use previously published averaged viral titre measurements from the nose and throat of SARS-CoV-2 infection in young and aged cynomolgus macaques to parametrize a viral kinetics model. We find that all viral kinetics parameters differ between young and aged macaques in the nasal passages, but that there are fewer differences in parameter estimates from the throat. We further use our parametrized model to study the antiviral treatment of young and aged animals, finding that early antiviral treatment is more likely to lead to a lengthening of the infection in aged animals, but not in young animals.
The neural correlates of grandmaternal caregiving

In many societies, grandmothers are important caregivers, and grandmaternal investment is often associated with improved grandchild well-being. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first study to examine grandmaternal brain function. We recruited 50 grandmothers with at least one biological grandchild between 3 and 12 years old. Brain function was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging as grandmothers viewed pictures of their grandchild, an unknown child, the same-sex parent of the grandchild, and an unknown adult. Grandmothers also completed questionnaires to measure their degree of involvement with and attachment to their grandchild. After controlling for age and familiarity of stimuli, viewing grandchild pictures activated areas involved with emotional empathy (insula and secondary somatosensory cortex) and movement (motor cortex and supplementary motor area). Grandmothers who more strongly activated areas involved with cognitive empathy (temporo-parietal junction and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex) when viewing pictures of the grandchild desired greater involvement in caring for the grandchild. Finally, compared with results from an earlier study of fathers, grandmothers more strongly activated regions involved with emotional empathy (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, insula and secondary somatosensory cortex), and motivation (nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum and caudate nucleus). All in all, our findings suggest that emotional empathy may be a key component of grandmaternal responses to their grandchildren.
Microbiota and Chemical Compounds in Fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxiaqu) from Different Areas in the Sichuan Province, China

Abstract This study focused on the microbiota and chemical compounds of the fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma produced in Longchang (LC), Zizhong (ZZ) and Xindu (XD), in Sichuan Province (China). High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the microbiota. GC-MS and LC-MS were used to detect the compounds produced during the three different Pinelliae Rhizoma fermentation processes. The bacteria and fungi of the three fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma differed substantially, with the bacterial content mainly composed of the Bacillus genus, while the common fungi were only included in four OTUs, which belong to three species of Eurotiomycetes and Aspergillus cibarius. 51 volatile compounds were detected; they varied between LC, XD, and ZZ fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma. C10 and C15 terpenes were most frequently detected, and only curcumene and β-bisabolene were detected in the three fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma. 65 non-volatile compounds were detected by LC-MS, most were of C16, C18, C20, C21 and C22 structures. Cluster analysis showed more similarity between LC and XD fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma with regards to volatile compound content, but more similarity between the XD and ZZ fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma for non-volatiles. Moreover, no correlation between geographical distance and microflora or compounds of fermented Pinelliae Rhizoma was observed. These results showed that hundreds of compounds are produced by the natural mixed fermentation of Pinelliae Rhizoma, and may mostly relate to the microorganisms of five species.
Masked Evaluations: The Role of Gender Homophily

Removing demographic information from job applications has been a proposed solution for reducing gender discrimination and increasing diversity in the hiring process. In this paper, I use a unique data set of job application questions from a hiring platform to explore how gender might still impact masked evaluations. I find that while there is no main gender effect in the scoring of applications, there appear to be scoring patterns consistent with gender homophily. Having applicant-evaluator pairs being of the same gender is positively correlated with higher ratings, particularly for female applicants, and neither the applicant’s language nor other types of similarity appear to fully explain this association.
Spatial Analysis of Propensity to Escort Children to School in Southern California

The spatial distribution of children's school commute behavior is analyzed from three perspectives: commuting to school independently of parents, commuting to school by active modes, and allocation of escorting tasks for children between mothers and fathers. Accessibility measures and population density are introduced in the propensity regression models to account for the impact of spatial characteristics around school locations and to identify the spatial distribution of behavioral patterns. The results from the models are presented as maps combining the impacts of all the significant spatial variables to display the spatial patterns of behavior and intrahousehold interaction. These patterns can identify and pinpoint the impact of barriers, with the paper offering the example of the negative impact of a park area in the middle of the city of Los Angeles, California, on children's independent and active commutes to school. Similarly, barriers create significantly different intra-household interaction patterns at different locations in the region. The results of this study show that an opportunity exists to expand the micro-analysis to a more comprehensive treatment of travel behavior in space and to contribute to the development of models integrating land use and transportation.
Air Quality Evaluation Based on Local Normalized Image Contrast

Air quality has been paid increasingly attention, and air quality evaluation via digital image technology can help people know the air quality conveniently. Visible pollutants can affect the degree of image blurring, so it is possible to evaluate the density of these pollutants using image processing. We adopt a local normalized image contrast and attempt to explore its relationship with the values of PM2.5 and PM10. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed measure is promising.