Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analog performance of compact lithium niobate optical modulators on silicon

Analog performance of compact thin-film lithium niobate Mach-Zehnder modulators on silicon substrates is investigated. The 8-mm-long modulators present 3.1 V.cm half-wave voltage length product, 18 dB extinction ratio, and are characterized up to 20 GHz, with 95 dBHz2/3 spur-free dynamic range up to 4 GHz.
Prevalence of Mental Disorders among Prisoners in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the prison population in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods Through stratified random sampling, 1.192 men and 617 women prisoners were evaluated for the presence of psychiatric disorders by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, 2.1 version, according to definitions and criteria of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The prevalence estimates of mental disorders and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated and adjusted for sample design through complex sample analysis. Results Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates differed between genders. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder was, respectively, 68.9% and 39.2% among women, and 56.1% and 22.1% among men. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of anxious-phobic disorders was, respectively, 50% and 27.7% among women and 35.3% and 13.6% among men, of affective disorders was 40% and 21% among women and 20.8% and 9.9% among men, and of drug-related disorders was 25.2% and 1.6% among women and 26.5% and 1.3% among men. For severe mental disorders (psychotic, bipolar disorders, and severe depression), the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were, respectively, 25.8% and 14.7% among women, and 12.3% and 6.3% among men. Conclusions This is the first large-scale epidemiological study performed with the prison population in Brazil, revealed high rates of psychiatric disorders among men and women. Many similarities, as well as some differences, were found between our results and those of studies conducted in other countries. The differences observed are more likely due to the peculiarities of the prison systems in each country than to the diagnostic criteria adopted in the studies. This fact reinforces the importance of conducting such studies as part of planning and development of appropriate policies for the particular mental health needs of specific prison populations.
Mortality predictive role of serum uric acid in diabetic hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES It is controversial to what extent serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis (HD). We analyzed the predictive role of SUA in the mortality of diabetic and nondiabetic chronic kidney disease patients starting on maintenance HD therapy. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS SUA was measured at the initiation of HD therapy in 319 patients (137 females and 193 diabetic patients) with mean age of 60 ± 14 years and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of 7.5 ± 3.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The patients were divided into 2 groups, hyperuricemia (HUA; n = 165) and non-HUA (n = 154) groups based on laboratory limit for normal SUA. Mortality was recorded during 31.5 ± 24.8 months. RESULTS Among the 193 diabetic patients, but not among the whole group of 319 patients, survival was significantly lower in HUA than in non-HUA patients. Among diabetic patients 2-year patient survival was worse in patients with HUA and cardiovascular disease (CVD; 52.3%; n = 30) than in non-HUA patients with CVD (81.1%; n = 36), HUA without CVD (88.6%; n = 62), and non-HUA without CVD (93.9%; n = 65). Cox analysis in all 319 patients showed that, old age, CVD, other comorbidity, and low serum albumin but not high SUA predicted mortality. Among diabetic patients, predictors of increased mortality risk were old age, CVD, other comorbidity but also high SUA with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.12 (95% confidence interval 1.02-1.22) per 1 mg/dL increase in SUA. In diabetic patients with HUA and CVD, adjusted hazard ratio for mortality was 5.98 times that of diabetic non-HUA patients without CVD. CONCLUSIONS High SUA is associated with poor survival in diabetic patients undergoing HD but not in nondiabetic patients undergoing HD. High SUA was found to be a risk marker especially in diabetic HD patients with concurrent CVD.
Structure of alamethicin in solution: nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation studies.

An NMR relaxation study at 500 MHz of the icosapeptide antibiotic alamethicin is reported. This study lends further support to the partly helical, partly extended, amphiphilic, and dimeric structure recently proposed for this peptide in methanolic solutions [Banerjee, U. , Tsui, F. P., Balasubramanian, T. N. , Marshall, G. R. , & Chan, S. I. (1983) J. Mol. Biol. 165, 757]. The N-acetyl methyl groups toward the N terminus of alamethicin in this solvent system were found to exhibit unusual NMR relaxation behavior. The decay of the transverse magnetization due to these protons was nonexponential, but the spin-lattice relaxation recovery of the longitudinal magnetization was exponential. In a solution saturated with urea, however, both decays were exponential. These observations are shown to be consistent with the proposed structure. Studies in water yielded qualitatively similar but more complex results. The transverse relaxation times suggest further aggregation in water and indicate that the larger aggregates in water may be made up of the smaller units observed in methanol.
Federal Reserve Transparency and Financial Market Forecasts of Short-Term Interest Rates

The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed an unprecedented increase in central bank transparency around the world, yet there has been little empirical work that convincingly demonstrates any economic benefits of increased central bank transparency. This paper shows that, since the late 1980s, U.S, financial markets and private sector forecasters have become: 1) better able to forecast the federal funds rate at horizons out to several months, 2) less surprised by Federal Reserve announcements, 3) more certain of their interest rate forecasts ex ante, as measured by interest rate options, and 4) less diverse in the cross-sectional variety of their interest rate forecasts. We also show that increases in Federal Reserve transparency are likely to have played a role: for example, private sector forecasts of GDP and inflation have not experienced similar improvements over the same period, indicating that the improvement in interest rate forecasts has been special.
Development of konjac glucomannan hydrogels for wound healing

The research presented in this thesis explores the potential uses of KGM and the development of KGM containing hydrogels for wound healing applications. The work involved characterization of five different species of Amorphophallus and investigating the biological activity of KGM and different molecular weight fractions of KGM on skin cells. KGM stimulated fibroblast (but not keratinocyte) proliferation and these effect were influenced by the species, Glc:Man ratio, % of glucomannan, molecular weight and the treatments of KGM. KGM also had the ability to maintain fibroblasts and ADMSC viabilities in unchanged medium for 20 days. The involvement of carbohydrate binding receptors on skin cells was also investigated to obtain a better understanding of the biological activity of KGM. KGM also had the potential for cell transportation where examination subjected to shear stress showed positive result. Following these, two sets of KGM hydrogels; crosslinked KGM and interpenetrating network (IPN); (semi IPN and graft-conetworks) were then developed and characterized using FTIR, DSC, SEM and 13C solid state NMR spectroscopy and their water content were examined. The crosslinked KGM was synthesized at various concentrations of KGM and Ce(IV), while the IPNs were made of KGM and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidinone) (P(NVP)) crosslinked with poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) using photopolymerisation. Graft-conetwork hydrogels’ EWC of 85-90% was very stimulatory to fibroblast proliferation and the migration of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts while semi IPN with the highest EWC of (90-95%) and water content did not. Differences in the chemistry and water properties of the hydrogels had significant influences in their biological activities. Examination on 3D tissue engineered skin and wound models showed that the KGM containing hydrogels were able to decrease the extent of skin contracture without affecting the reepithelisation process. Taken together these data support a potential role for KGM and KGM containing hydrogels in wound healing.
Cost, healthcare resource utilization, and adherence of individuals with diabetes using U-500 or U-100 insulin: a retrospective database analysis

Abstract Objective: To describe costs, healthcare resource utilization, and adherence of US patients receiving human regular U-500 insulin (U-500R), compared to patients receiving high-dose (>200 units/day) U-100 insulins (U-100) by subcutaneous injection for the treatment of diabetes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from Thomson Reuters MarketScan Research Databases (7/1/2008 to 12/31/2010). Difference-in-differences analyses were conducted on cost (medical, pharmacy, and overall costs) and on healthcare resource utilization variables (overall, diabetes-related, and non-diabetes-related medical visits). Adherence rates to the index insulins were assessed by proportion of days covered (PDC). Results: Seven hundred and eleven (19%) patients in the U-500R cohort and 1508 (6%) patients in the U-100 cohort met selection criteria. Propensity score matching resulted in 684 matched pairs. Mean change in annualized pharmacy costs was in favor of the U-500R vs the U-100 cohort (−$1258 vs $3345, a difference of −$4603, p < 0.0001). Mean overall cost increase in the U-500R vs the U-100 cohort was also lower ($1999 vs $9104, a difference of −$7105, p = 0.005). The proportion of patients with at least one coded hypoglycemic event during the 12-month post-index period was higher in the U-500R vs the U-100 cohort (17.1% vs 11.7%, p < 0.005), but neither hypoglycemia rate (2.73 vs 2.90 events per person) nor hypoglycemia-specific costs (mean $1669 vs $1543) were significantly different. No significant differences were noted between cohorts for change (post–pre) in any resource utilization category. PDC was greater in the U-500R vs the U-100 cohort (65.2% vs 39.5%, p < 0.0001). Limitations: Claims data are not as accurate as empirical evaluation by a clinician. Glycemic control data were not available for this analysis. Conclusions: In patients requiring high-dose insulin, treatment with U-500R vs high-dose U-100 insulins is associated with significant decreases in pharmacy and overall costs, slightly higher hypoglycemia incidence, no difference in hypoglycemia-specific costs or in resource utilization, and better adherence.
Campylobacter in the environment: A major threat to public health

Hussein Hasan Abulreesh, Sameer Rushdi Organji, Khaled Elbanna, Gamal Ebrahim Haridy Osman, Meshal Helal Kareem Almalki, Iqbal Ahmad Departmentt of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt Microbial Genetics Department, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGER) – ARC, Giza, Egypt Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2017; 7(6): 374-384
γ-Radiation Assisted Fabrication of Hydroxyapatite-Polyacrylamide Nanocomposites with Possible Application in Bone Implantology

Hydroxyapatite (HA) impregnated poly-(acrylamide) nanocomposites were synthesized using γ-radiations and the prepared composites were characterized by different instrumental techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies revealed the presence of carbonated HA, while the X-ray diffraction analysis showed the mean particle size of HA to be nearly 6.53 nm and width 1.278 nm. The nanosize of the hydroxyapatite crystals were also confirmed by Transmission electron microscopy analysis. The crystallinity of material was found to be 76.10% with interchain separation between 0.1998 and 0.1933 nm for native HA and HA nanocomposites, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis studies resulted in the thermogram that resembled with that of the natural bone. Scanning electron microscope results revealed the pore size of prepared composite ranging between 50 and 100 µm. The modulus and compressive strength of prepared materials were found to be 726.40 and 39.55 MPa, respectively. Water uptake capacity of the prepared nanocomposites was quantified in terms of swelling ratio and the data were used to calculate network parameters of HA-PAm composites. The in vitro - blood compatibility results confirmed a fair level of blood compatibility of the prepared composites.
System-level routing of mixed-signal ASICs in WREN

Techniques for global and detailed routing of the macrocell-style analog core of a mixed-signal ASIC are discussed. A comparatively simple geometric model of the problem is combined with an aggressive simulated annealing formulation that selects paths while accommodating numerous signal-integrity constraints. Experimental results demonstrate that it is critical to attack such constraints both globally (system-level) and locally (channel-level) to meet designer-specified performance targets. <<ETX>>
PK-PD Analysis of Marbofloxacin against Streptococcus suis in Pigs

Marbofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and highly effective treatment for respiratory diseases. Here we aimed to evaluate the ex vivo activity of marbofloxacin against Streptococcus suis in pig serum, as well as the optimal dosages scheme for avoiding the fluoroquinolone resistance development. A single dose of 8 mg/kg body weight (bw) was administrated orally to healthy pigs and serum samples were collected during the next 72 h. Serum marbofloxacin content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. We estimated the Cmax (6.28 μg/ml), AUC0-24 h (60.30 μg.h/ml), AUC0-∞ (88.94 μg.h/ml), T1/2ke, (12.48 h), Tmax (0.75 h) and Clb (0.104 L/h) of marbofloxacin in pigs, as well as the bioavailability of marbofloxacin (94.21%) after a single 8 mg/kg oral administration. We also determined the pharmacodynamic of marbofloxacin against 134 Streptococcus suis strains isolated from Chinese cities in TSB and serum. These isolated strains had a MIC90 of 1 μg/ml. HB2, a virulent, serotype 2 isolate of SS, was selected for having antibacterial activity in TSB and serum to marbofloxacin. We determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 1 μg/ml in TSB, 2 μg/ml in serum), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC, 4 μg/ml in TSB, 4 μg/ml in serum), and mutant prevention concentration (2.56 μg/ml in TSB) for marbofloxacin against Streptococcus suis (HB2). In serum, by inhibitory sigmoid Emax modeling, the AUC0-24h/MIC values for marbofloxacin against HB2 were 25.23 (bacteriostatic), 35.64 (bactericidal), and 39.71 (elimination) h. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, the predicted optimal oral doses of marbofloxacin curing Streptococcus suis were 5.88 (bacteriostatic), 8.34 (bactericidal), and 9.36 (elimination) mg/kg.bw for a 50% target attainment ratio, and 8.16 (bacteriostatic), 11.31 (bactericidal), and 12.35 (elimination) mg/kg.bw for a 90% target attainment ratio. The data presented here provides optimized dosage information for clinical use; however, these predicted dosages should also be validated in clinical practice.
Colour vision and speciation in Lake Victoria cichlids of the genus Pundamilia

Lake Victoria cichlids are one of the most speciose groups of vertebrates. Selection on coloration is likely playing an important role in their rapid speciation. To test the hypothesis that sensory biases could explain species differences in mating preferences and nuptial coloration, we studied seven populations of four closely related species of the genus Pundamilia that differ in visual environment and male nuptial colour. Microspectrophotometry determined that the wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) of the rod pigment and three cone pigments were similar in all four species. Only the long wavelength sensitive (LWS) pigment varied among species, with 3–4 nm shifts in λmax that correlated with differences in the LWS opsin sequence. These subtle shifts in λmax coincided with large shifts in male body colour, with red species having longer LWS pigments than blue species. Furthermore, we observed within and between species a correlation between water transparency and the proportion of red/red vs. red/green double cones. Individuals from turbid water had more red/red double cones than individuals from clear water. The variation in LWS λmax and in the proportion of red/red double cones could lead to differences in perceived brightness that may explain the evolution of variation in male coloration. However, other factors, such as chromophore shifts and higher order neural processing, should also be investigated to fully understand the physiological basis of differential responses to male mating hues in cichlid fish.
A Survey of Surface Texture Characterization with Two and Three-Dimensional Contact Methods

Nowadays there is a huge interest in new and improved three-dimensional techniques of surface finishing degree measuring and behaviour investigation. Several fields of application are mainly dependent of advances in surface metrology, as for instance aerospace and rail transport, telecommunications or micro-technology. All 3D measuring tools must be designed starting from a bi-dimensional basis and keeping a clear knowledge of their operating principle. This is then the key that defines the borders of this works path. Looking at the finishing degree of three differently obtained surfaces, preliminary comparison of results in two and three dimensions will be finally presented. All constraints defined by this problems conditions must be taken in consideration once the results are analysed.
Relationship between anxiety, depression, and morbidity in adult asthma patients

BACKGROUND Symptoms of disease reported by patients reflect the effects of the disease process within the individual and the person's physical and mental ability to tolerate or otherwise cope with the limitations on their functioning. This study examines the relationship between asthma symptoms, disease severity, and psychological status in patients being managed in routine primary healthcare settings. METHODS One hundred and fourteen subjects from four GP practices, two inner city and two suburban, were studied. Symptoms were assessed by means of the Asthma Quality of Life questionnaire (AQLQ) and a locally devised Q score, and psychological status with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. Spirometric values and details of current asthma treatment (BTS asthma guidelines treatment step) were recorded as markers of asthma severity. RESULTS Symptoms as measured by AQLQ correlated with peak expiratory flow (r S = 0.40) and with BTS guidelines treatment step (r S = 0.25). Similarly, the Q score correlated with peak expiratory flow (r S = 0.44) and with BTS guidelines treatment step (r S = 0.42). Similar levels of correlation of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) with symptoms were reported. HAD anxiety and depression scores also correlated to a similar extent with these two symptom scores, but there was hardly any correlation with lung function. Logistic regression analysis showed that HAD scores help to explain symptom scores over and above the effects of lung function and BTS guidelines treatment step. Symptoms, depression, and anxiety were higher for inner city patients while little difference was observed in objective measures of asthma. CONCLUSIONS Asthma guidelines suggest that changing levels of symptoms should be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. These data suggest that reported symptoms may be misleading and unreliable because they may reflect non-asthma factors that cannot be expected to respond to changes in asthma treatment.
Renal artery origins and variations: angiographic evaluation of 855 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE To determine angiographically the origins and variations of renal arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 855 consecutive patients (163 females, 692 males; mean age, 61 years) living in the Cukurova region of Turkey, who underwent either aortofemoropopliteal (AFP) angiography for the investigation of peripheral arterial disease, or renal angiography for renovascular hypertension, and were prospectively evaluated. Renal arteries were visualized by non-selective catheterization during AFP angiography and by selective or non-selective catheterization during renal angiography. Locations of renal artery origins and renal artery variations, including the presence of extra renal arteries and division patterns were analyzed on angiograms. RESULTS The origin of main renal arteries off the aorta was between the upper margin of L1 and lower margin of L2 vertebra in 98% of the patients, and in 74%, this was the origin of extra renal arteries. The most common location for renal artery origin was the L1-L2 intervertebral disc level. A single renal artery was present in both kidneys in 76% of patients. Renal artery variations included multiple arteries in 24%, bilateral multiple arteries in 5%, and early division in 8% of the cases. Additional renal arteries on the right side were found in 16% and on the left side in 13% of cases. Of all the extra renal arteries, the percentage of accessory and aberrant renal arteries were 49% and 51%, respectively. CONCLUSION Renal arteries originated between the first and the second lumbar vertebral levels in most patients. Extra renal arteries were quite frequent. These results should be kept in mind when a non-invasive diagnostic search is performed for renal artery stenosis, or when renal surgery related to renal arteries is performed.
Electrical and Physical Analysis of Thermal Degradations of AlGaN/GaN HEMT Under Radar-Type Operating Life

Failure mechanisms in AlGaN/GaN HEMT RF power amplifiers implemented on silicon substrate and envisaging radar operating conditions are investigated in this paper. Several power amplifier prototypes have been designed, fabricated, characterized, and tested. Ageing tests were performed in conditions as close as possible to real applications. Ageing under increased drain voltage allowed studying both thermal and electrical aspects. Characterization performed before and after ageing tests proved that ageing process is mainly due to thermal stress for the irreversible part and to trapping effects for the reversible one, respectively. This was confirmed by additional physical analysis, the results revealing strong changes of the Schottky contact. Photon emission microscopy associated with X radiography gives spatial correlation between gate degradation and evolution of the brazing interface between the transistor chip and its packaging. It also illustrates the appearance of overheating points and acceleration of the Schottky contact degradation.
Training in the aging athlete

The number of healthy older individuals who are active in sports has increased significantly during the past generation. These individuals continue to perform at a high level, although there appears to be a loss in functional capacity that cannot be overcome by training. No accepted theory of aging exists, but older athletes may be limited primarily by the inability to maintain the same volume and intensity of training. Also, older athletes appear to respond more slowly to the same training load than do younger athletes. The principles of training in older athletes are similar to those in young athletes; however, additional days of recovery and cross training may be necessary to prevent orthopedic injuries. Strategies for maintaining exercise intensity, including resistance training, are advisable to prevent sarcopenia and selective loss of type II muscle fibers.