Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation instabilities in birefringent two-core optical fibres

Previous studies of the modulation instability (MI) of continuous waves (CWs) in a two-core fibre (TCF) did not consider effects caused by co-propagation of the two polarized modes in a TCF that possesses birefringence, such as cross-phase modulation (XPM), polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) and polarization-dependent coupling (PDC) between the cores. This paper reports an analysis of these effects on the MI by considering a linear-birefringence TCF and a circular-birefringence TCF, which feature different XPM coefficients. The analysis focuses on the MI of the asymmetric CW states in the TCFs, which have no counterparts in single-core fibres. We find that the asymmetric CW state exists when its total power exceeds a threshold (minimum) value, which is sensitive to the value of the XPM coefficient. We consider, in particular, a class of asymmetric CW states that admit analytical solutions. In the anomalous dispersion regime, without taking the PMD and PDC into account, the MI gain spectra of the birefringent TCF, if scaled by the threshold power, are almost identical to those of the zero-birefringence TCF. However, in the normal dispersion regime, the power-scaled MI gain spectra of the birefringent TCFs are distinctly different from their zero-birefringence counterparts, and the difference is particularly significant for the circular-birefringence TCF, which takes a larger XPM coefficient. On the other hand, the PMD and PDC only exert weak effects on the MI gain spectra. We also simulate the nonlinear evolution of the MI of the CW inputs in the TCFs and obtain good agreement with the analytical solutions.
NFC-based personal information management for U-health

Recently many of the smart phones that have been rapidly spread have NFC functionality. In this paper we have developed a U-health system to get data from sensors attached to the body and let doctors and patients properly utilize it. We have first considered how to get data from sensors and used the Zigbee module to collect data and transfer it to the NFC module. Then we have decided the authentication system for security on data delivery from NFC. Finally, we have designed a database schema to make the data useful.
Nomenclature for factors of the HLA system, update March 2005 *

The following sequences have been submitted to the Nomenclature Committee since the February 2005 nomenclature update and, following agreed policy, have been assigned official allele designations. Full details of all sequences will be published in a forthcoming report. Below are listed the newly assigned sequences (Table 1) and confirmations of previously reported sequences (Table 2). The accession number of each sequence is given
Speculative dynamic vectorization for HW/SW codesigned processors

Hardware/Software (HW/SW) co-designed processors have emerged as a promising solution to the power and complexity problems of modern microprocessors. These processors utilize dynamic optimizations to improve the performance. However, vectorization, one of the most potent optimizations, has not yet received the deserved attention. This paper presents a speculative dynamic vectorization algorithm to explore its potential.
A Calmodulin-binding/CGCG Box DNA-binding Protein Family Involved in Multiple Signaling Pathways in Plants* 210

We reported earlier that the tobacco early ethylene-responsive gene NtER1 encodes a calmodulin-binding protein (Yang, T., and Poovaiah, B. W. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 38467–38473). Here we demonstrate that there is oneNtER1 homolog as well as five related genes inArabidopsis. These six genes are rapidly and differentially induced by environmental signals such as temperature extremes, UVB, salt, and wounding; hormones such as ethylene and abscisic acid; and signal molecules such as methyl jasmonate, H2O2, and salicylic acid. Hence, they were designated as AtSR1–6 ( A rabidopsisthaliana signal-responsive genes). Ca2+/calmodulin binds to all AtSRs, and their calmodulin-binding regions are located on a conserved basic amphiphilic α-helical motif in the C terminus. AtSR1 targets the nucleus and specifically recognizes a novel 6-bp CGCG box (A/C/G)CGCG(G/T/C). The multiple CGCG cis-elements are found in promoters of genes such as those involved in ethylene signaling, abscisic acid signaling, and light signal perception. The DNA-binding domain in AtSR1 is located on the N-terminal 146 bp where all AtSR1-related proteins share high similarity but have no similarity to other known DNA-binding proteins. The calmodulin-binding nuclear proteins isolated from wounded leaves exhibit specific CGCG box DNA binding activities. These results suggest that the AtSR gene family encodes a family of calmodulin-binding/DNA-binding proteins involved in multiple signal transduction pathways in plants.
Ingestion of sugar beet fiber enhances irradiation-induced aberrant crypt foci in the rat colon under an apoptosis-suppressed condition

The induction of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by irradiation of γ-rays (60Co), and the effect of dietary sugar beet fiber (SBF) on irradiation-induced ACF were examined. We found that abdominal irradiation of γ-rays could induce ACF in the rat colon. The irradiation was performed once a week at a dose rate of 2 or 3 Gy per irradiation. Irradiation-induced ACF were observed in the colon at 10 weeks after the first irradiation at dose of 2 Gy for six times or 3 Gy for four times. Dietary SBF had no effect on the number of ACF, aberrant crypts (AC) or AC/focus induced by abdominal γ-irradiation. However, an ingestion of SBF resulted in an increase in the number of these parameters in apoptosis-suppressed rats by cycloheximide (CHX). An injection of CHX suppressed irradiation-induced apoptosis of the colonic epithelial cells for at least 6 h after the irradiation. In CHX-injected rats, an ingestion of SBF significantly increased the number of ACF, AC and AC/focus compared with fiber-free fed rats at 9 weeks after the first irradiation. On the other hand, in saline-injected rats, no significant difference was found between SBF and fiber-free diets in the number of ACF, AC and AC/focus through the experimental period. These results suggest that dietary SBF may be involved in the elimination of abnormal cells from an irradiated colon through the apoptosis of colonic epithelial cells. In this study, we have shown a new method for inducing ACF by using γ-rays which were not influenced by luminal contents such as bacterial enzyme, at least in the initiation stage.
Trouble at the Border ? Gender , Work , and the

The present study addresses three main questions: 1) Are schedule control and job autonomy associated differently with the work-home interface? 2) Do schedule control and job autonomy interact with different forms of work-home role blurring to influence levels of work-to-home conflict? 3) Do any of these observed patterns of association differ for women and men? We apply and refine a gender view of border theory and propositions about resourceful versus demanding work conditions in the work-home interface. Analyses of the National Survey of the Changing Workforce (2002) reveal that schedule control and job autonomy are associated positively with work-home role blurring, although the effects are stronger among men. In addition, the association between work-home role blurring and work-to-home conflict is greater at higher levels of schedule control. The findings challenge the view that schedule control and job autonomy uniformly function as resources that help people avoid or manage trouble at the work-home border. Moreover, observed gender differences are inconsistent with egalitarian views about contemporary work-home role arrangements. We discuss the implications for border theory and outline future research directions on gender, work, and the work-home interface.
Granule-associated serine neutral proteases of the mouse bone marrow-derived mast cell that degrade fibronectin: their increase after sodium butyrate treatment of the cells.

Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells, differentiated in vitro with concanavalin A splenocyte-conditioned medium and sensitized with monoclonal IgE, release neutral serine proteases after activation with specific antigen. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the supernatants from immunologically activated mast cells revealed the presence of four prominent proteins of 27,000, 29,000, 30,000 and 31,000 m.w. When the supernatants and sonicated residual cells from antigen-challenged or nonactivated IgE-sensitized mast cells were incubated with [3H]diisopropylfluorophosphate ([3H]DFP) and the proteins were subjected to SDS-PAGE followed by autoradiography, proteins of 27,000 to 31,000 m.w. were labeled with [3H]DFP. The antigen-dependent release of labeled proteins was accompanied by a corresponding depletion of similarly sized [3H]DFP-labeled proteins from these cell pellets relative to unactivated cells. The SDS gels were also stained with Coomassie Blue and were sectioned to separate the individual proteins for measurement of their incorporated radioactivity; the net percent antigen-dependent release of all four [3H]DFP-labeled proteins ranged from 64 to 68% and was comparable to that of the secretory granule markers, beta-hexosaminidase and histamine. That the [3H]DFP-labeled proteins were derived from the secretory granules of the cells was supported by studies in which mast cells were cultured for 4 days in the presence of 1 mM sodium butyrate. This treatment produced a differential increase in their cellular content of histamine (10-fold), [3H]DFP binding proteins (two- to fourfold), and beta-hexosaminidase (minimally), while the net percent antigen-dependent release of each of these constituents was unchanged. After sensitization and antigen activation, the net percent release of histamine, beta-hexosaminidase, and the four [3H]DFP-labeled proteins was 51, 59, and 53 to 61%, respectively, for sodium butyrate-treated cells, and 53, 60, and 64 to 68%, respectively, for cells not exposed to sodium butyrate. Human plasma fibronectin was used as a substrate to demonstrate that the exocytosed proteins possessed proteolytic activity. As assessed by optical density scanning of stained SDS-PAGE gels of the substrate, the proteases present in the supernatants of antigen-activated cells, but not of sensitized unchallenged cells, rapidly degraded native fibronectin at pH 7.0. This degradation was prevented by pretreatment of the exocytosed proteins from immunologically activated cells for 90 min at 37 degrees C with 2 mM DFP. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The role of inheritance in sporadic Parkinson's disease: Evidence from a longitudinal study of dopaminergic function in twins

Despite the major finding of a genetic defect being responsible for the Parkinson's disease (PD) phenotype in some kindreds with dominantly transmitted PD, the role of inheritance in the cause of the more widespread sporadic form of the disease is still unclear. Twin studies are a classic tool for assessing the influence of hereditary factors in diseases; however, the application of this approach to late‐onset illnesses, like PD, poses some problems because of the identification of subclinical cases. In the present longitudinal study we have used [18F]dopa and positron emission tomography to study dopaminergic function in twin pairs at baseline clinically discordant for PD. At baseline, the concordance for subclinical striatal dopaminergic dysfunction was found to be significantly higher in 18 monozygotic than in 16 dizygotic twin pairs (55% vs 18%, respectively). The asymptomatic monozygotic cotwins all showed progressive loss of dopaminergic function over 7 years and 4 developed clinical PD. None of the dizygotic twin pairs became clinically concordant. At follow‐up, the combined concordance levels for subclinical dopaminergic dysfunction and clinical PD were 75% in the 12 monozygotic and 22% in the 9 dizygotic twin pairs evaluated twice. Our findings suggest a substantial role for inheritance in sporadic PD. Ann Neurol 1999;45:577–582
The implementation of smart antenna based on NI PXI

This article describes development of the multibeam receiving antenna array with digital beamforming (DBF) prototype using National Instruments modular instruments of PXI standard. Development of the prototype and researching its characteristics is a continuation of earlier research carried out by National Research University of Electronic Technology. Some problems associated with DBF were examined using the array prototype. The first iteration of the research included amplitude and phase calibration and its influence on antenna radiation pattern. The next iteration included test of radiation pattern formation with its minimum in the direction of electromagnetic interference using adaptive algorithms. In practice antenna array prototype with digital beamforming has shown the possibility of using the digital beamforming technology for signals spatial filtering and detection. In the result of the research software that implements the necessary algorithms for digital signal processing was developed and required computing capacity was estimated.
Usefulness of fair values in predicting future cash flows and earnings

This paper examines whether increased use of fair value estimates in financial reporting and the reliability of these estimates impacts the ability of earnings to predict future cash flows and future earnings. For a sample of publicly traded and privately held bank holding companies, we examine our research questions using two complementary and comprehensive approaches, a balance sheet and an income statement approach, to measure the extent to which fair values are used in financial reporting. We find that the extent of exposure to fair values in financial reporting enhances the ability of earnings to predict future cash flows in both public and private banks. We also find some evidence suggesting fair values enhance the ability of current earnings to predict future earnings. Finally, we find that earnings under a more fair value-based reporting system are better predictors of future cash flows and future earnings when the reported fair value estimates are more reliable. Overall, our findings support the view of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and International Accounting Standards Board that use of fair value estimates in financial reporting enhances the ability of earnings to predict future performance. Further, the extent to which fair value enhances the predictive ability of earnings depends on the reliability of the fair value information. JEL classification: G21, M41, M48
Improved overall survival for pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – A comparison of the last two decades

Pediatric protocols for allogeneic hematopoietic SCT have been altered during the last two decades. To compare the outcomes in children (<18 yr old), who underwent SCT at our center during 1992–2002 (P1) and 2003–2013 (P2). We retrospectively analyzed 188 patients in P1 and 201 patients in P2. The most significant protocol changes during P2 compared with P1 were a decrease in MAC protocols, particularly those containing TBI, an increase in RIC protocols, and altered GvHD prophylaxis. In addition, P2 had more patients with nonmalignant diagnoses (p = 0.002), more mismatched (MM) donors (p = 0.01), and more umbilical CB grafts (p = 0.03). Mesenchymal or DSCs were used for severe acute GvHD during P2. Three‐yr OS in P1 was 58%, and in P2, it was 78% (p < 0.001). Improved OS was seen in both malignant disorders (51% vs. 68%; p = 0.05) and nonmalignant disorders (77% vs. 87%; p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that SCT during P2 was associated with reduced mortality (HR = 0.57; p = 0.005), reduced TRM (HR = 0.57; p = 0.03), unchanged relapse rate, similar rate of GF, less chronic GvHD (HR = 0.49; p = 0.01), and more acute GvHD (HR = 1.77, p = 0.007). During recent years, OS has improved at our center, possibly reflecting the introduction of less toxic conditioning regimens and a number of other methodological developments in SCT.
Energy-Efficient , Reliable Routing and Robust Data Aggregation Method for Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks

The sensor nodes are inexpensive, disposable, and expected to last until their energy drains out. Therefore, energy is a very limited resource for a WSN system, and it needs to be managed in an optimal fashion. Reliable and successful data delivery at the BS is desired. Energy efficiency is an important aspect of any application of WSN. Routing of data in WSN is a critical task, and significant amount of energy can be saved if routing can be carried out tactfully. Routing is an issue linked to the network layer of the protocol stack of WSN. We present a novel energy-efficient routing protocol for Wireless sensor networks. The protocol is reliable in terms of data delivery at the base
Transcriptomics and in vivo tests reveal novel mechanisms underlying endocrine disruption in an ecological sentinel, Nucella lapillus

Anthropogenic endocrine disruptors now contaminate all environments globally, with concomitant deleterious effects across diverse taxa. While most studies on endocrine disruption (ED) have focused on vertebrates, the superimposition of male sexual characteristics in the female dogwhelk, Nucella lapillus (imposex), caused by organotins, provides one of the most clearcut ecological examples of anthropogenically induced ED in aquatic ecosystems. To identify the underpinning mechanisms of imposex for this ‘nonmodel’ species, we combined Roche 454 pyrosequencing with custom oligoarray fabrication inexpensively to both generate gene models and identify those responding to chronic tributyltin (TBT) treatment. The results supported the involvement of steroid, neuroendocrine peptide hormone dysfunction and retinoid mechanisms, but suggested additionally the involvement of putative peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) pathways. Application of rosiglitazone, a well‐known vertebrate PPARγ ligand, to dogwhelks induced imposex in the absence of TBT. Thus, while TBT‐induced imposex is linked to the induction of many genes and has a complex phenotype, it is likely also to be driven by PPAR‐responsive pathways, hitherto not described in invertebrates. Our findings provide further evidence for a common signalling pathway between invertebrate and vertebrate species that has previously been overlooked in the study of endocrine disruption.
Active Solubilization and Refolding of Stable Protein Aggregates By Cooperative Unfolding Action of Individual Hsp70 Chaperones*

Hsp70 is a central molecular chaperone that passively prevents protein aggregation and uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to solubilize, translocate, and mediate the proper refolding of proteins in the cell. Yet, the molecular mechanism by which the active Hsp70 chaperone functions are achieved remains unclear. Here, we show that the bacterial Hsp70 (DnaK) can actively unfold misfolded structures in aggregated polypeptides, leading to gradual disaggregation. We found that the specific unfolding and disaggregation activities of individual DnaK molecules were optimal for large aggregates but dramatically decreased for small aggregates. The active unfolding of the smallest aggregates, leading to proper global refolding, required the cooperative action of several DnaK molecules per misfolded polypeptide. This finding suggests that the unique ATP-fueled locking/unlocking mechanism of the Hsp70 chaperones can recruit random chaperone motions to locally unfold misfolded structures and gradually disentangle stable aggregates into refoldable proteins.
Why the proportion of transmission during early-stage HIV infection does not predict the long-term impact of treatment on HIV incidence

Significance Antiretroviral treatment (ART), which prevents both morbidity and HIV transmission for persons infected with HIV, is now thought to be central to strategies for controlling the spread of HIV. One major concern has been that if a large proportion of HIV transmission occurs early in infection, before persons can be diagnosed and treated, the impact of treatment on reducing new infections will be less. We use a mathematical model to quantify how the proportion of early transmission will affect the impact of intervention strategies, and explain underlying epidemiological mechanisms for this. Model simulations suggest that—counter to expectations—the proportion of early transmission at the start of an ART intervention does not predict the long-term intervention impact. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces the infectiousness of HIV-infected persons, but only after testing, linkage to care, and successful viral suppression. Thus, a large proportion of HIV transmission during a period of high infectiousness in the first few months after infection (“early transmission”) is perceived as a threat to the impact of HIV “treatment-as-prevention” strategies. We created a mathematical model of a heterosexual HIV epidemic to investigate how the proportion of early transmission affects the impact of ART on reducing HIV incidence. The model includes stages of HIV infection, flexible sexual mixing, and changes in risk behavior over the epidemic. The model was calibrated to HIV prevalence data from South Africa using a Bayesian framework. Immediately after ART was introduced, more early transmission was associated with a smaller reduction in HIV incidence rate—consistent with the concern that a large amount of early transmission reduces the impact of treatment on incidence. However, the proportion of early transmission was not strongly related to the long-term reduction in incidence. This was because more early transmission resulted in a shorter generation time, in which case lower values for the basic reproductive number (R0) are consistent with observed epidemic growth, and R0 was negatively correlated with long-term intervention impact. The fraction of early transmission depends on biological factors, behavioral patterns, and epidemic stage and alone does not predict long-term intervention impacts. However, early transmission may be an important determinant in the outcome of short-term trials and evaluation of programs.
In vitro anti‐Helicobacter pylori potential of methanol extract of Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae) leaf: susceptibility and effect on urease activity

The crude methanol extract of the leaf of Allium ascalonicum was screened in vitro against ﬁve strains of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) (ATCC 24376, UCH 97001, UCH 97009, UCH 98026 and UCH 99039) for antibacterial activity by the agar diffusion method in Mueller‐Hinton agar supplemented with deﬁbrinated horse blood. All the strains were inhibited by the extract to varying degrees. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract against all the tested strains ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 mg/mL. The effects of increasing concentrations of the extract on the urease activity of three of the Helicobacter pylori strains were investigated further. The results showed that increasing the concentration of the extract decreased the urease activity of all the strains tested. Phytochemical screening of the plant showed that it contains alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and saponins. The anti‐Hp activity observed is discussed in relation to the chemical constituents reportedly isolated from these plants and their traditional uses. The result of this work suggests that Allium ascalonicum has some therapeutic potential against Helicobacter pylori infection, which could be explored for patients with gastroduodenal disorders. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Diagnosis of Polycystic Echinococcosis Due to Echinococcus vogeli in a Paraguayan Immigrant in Argentina

ABSTRACT Polycystic echinococcosis due to Echinococcus vogeli is a rare parasitic infection that occurs in rural areas of Central and South America. Only molecular identification performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver tissue samples gave an unequivocal diagnosis of this disease in a Paraguayan immigrant in Argentina.