Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated 1 $\times$ 8 Optical Phased-Array Switch With Low Polarization Sensitivity for Broadband Optical Packet Switching

An InP/InGaAsP integrated 1 times 8 optical phased-array switch is designed, fabricated, and characterized for high-throughput broadband wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) optical packet switching application. With a single stage of phase shifters utilizing carrier-induced refractive index change, switching to the eight output ports is demonstrated successfully. The polarization-dependent loss is 2.2 dB in the worst case, and the wavelength-dependent loss is less than 2.5 dB across the entire C-band (1520-1580 nm) with the average extinction ratio of 17.7 dB. The measured reconfiguration time is shorter than 6 ns. Low-penalty transmission of a 40-Gb/s non-return-to-zero signal is also demonstrated for the first time. These features make the integrated phased-array switch an attractive candidate to be deployed in the future high-capacity optical packet switching networks.
Tolosa-Hunt syndrome with proptosis mimicked by giant aneurysm of posterior cerebral artery.

• A case of chronic, steroid-responsive, painful ophthalmoplegia demonstrated proptosis and nodularity of the intracavernous carotid artery. However, the responsible lesion was an aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery confined to the posterior fossa and definable only by vertebral angiography.
Serial diffusion-weighted MRI of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of MRI findings, including diffusion-weighted imaging, in relation to the clinical signs and symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed nine cases of CJD in which MRI was performed from the early to terminal phase of the disease. MRI findings were correlated before (early phase) and after (intermediate phase) the onset of the characteristic clinical findings of myoclonus and periodic synchronous discharges on electroencephalograms. The chronologic changes in imaging findings were followed from the akinetic mutism to the terminal phase of the disease (terminal phase). T2-weighted images had been obtained in all the patients, and diffusion-weighted images and FLAIR images had been obtained in six patients. We evaluated the images for the presence and location of abnormal signal intensities. RESULTS During the early phase, the T2-weighted images showed no abnormal findings. The diffusion-weighted images, however, revealed abnormal high signal intensities in the cortex in all patients and in the basal ganglia in five patients. In two cases, there were abnormal signals on FLAIR images that corresponded to diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities. During the intermediate phase, the area of the high signal intensities on the diffusion-weighted images had expanded and progressive cerebral atrophy had become apparent. During the terminal phase, abnormal high signal intensities in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia on the diffusion-weighted images in one patient disappeared. CONCLUSION Diffusion-weighted imaging is extremely useful in detecting CJD during the very early phase-even before the onset of characteristic clinical findings.
Use of Molecular Markers to Correct Grape Breeding Errors and Determine the Identity of Novel Sources of Resistance to Xiphinema index and Pierce’s Disease

Over the past 15 years, the grape breeding program at the University of California, Davis, has been evaluating Vitis rupestris x Muscadinia rotundifolia selections for resistance to the dagger nematode, Xiphinema index, and to Pierce’s disease (PD). Selections from these crosses exhibit very strong resistance to X. index and PD. In addition to breeding efforts, populations from these crosses have been used to develop genetic maps and locate resistance loci. Genetic mapping efforts recently began incorporating SSR markers to refine and expand existing maps. The use of SSR markers revealed that the mapping population parents were not crosses of V. rupestris x M. rotundifolia. This discovery led to testing of the entire group of 161 V. rupestris x M. rotundifolia progeny. All possible male parents surrounding the V. rupestris female parents in the vineyard where the crosses were made were genetically fingerprinted with up to 15 SSR markers to determine the true male parents. Results indicated that most of the male parents were from collections of forms of V. arizonica gathered in Mexico in 1961. These now correctly identified selections represent novel sources of very strong resistance to X. index and PD.
Transient inactivation of the rat nucleus accumbens does not impair guidance of instrumental behaviour by stimuli predicting reward magnitude

The involvement of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in the determination of reaction times (RTs) of instrumental responses by the expectancy of future reward was investigated. A simple RT task demanding conditioned lever release was used, in which the upcoming reward magnitude (5 versus 1 pellet) was signalled in advance by discriminative cues. In rats which acquired the task, RTs of instrumental responses were significantly shorter to the discriminative cue predictive of high reward magnitude. Inactivation of the NAc by lidocaine had no effect on RTs and their determination by cue-associated reward magnitudes, and did not affect the rate of correct responses. In keeping with an earlier study, intra-NAc infusion of amphetamine decreased RTs, impaired RT determination by cue-associated reward magnitudes and reduced the rate of correct responses. The unexpected finding that lidocaine inactivation of the NAc had no effect parallels previous data showing that lesions of NAc did not impair RT performance, while manipulation of intra-NAc glutamate or dopamine transmission impaired various aspects of RT performance in comparable tasks. It is suggested that experimental manipulations such as transient and permanent inactivation, which almost completely inhibit NAc neuronal output, allow alternative routes to be used to effectively control behaviour in the task employed here.
General relativity as a cosmological attractor of tensor-scalar theories.

Tensor-scalar theories of gravity are shown to generically contain an attractor mechanism toward general relativity, with the redshift at the beginning of the matter-dominated era providing the measure for the present level of deviation from general relativity. Quantitative estimates for the post-Newtonian parameters \ensuremath{\gamma}-1, \ensuremath{\beta}-1, and G\ifmmode \dot{}\else \. {}\fi{}/G are given, which give greater significance to future improvements of solar-system gravitational tests.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN RETRACTED: Early recovery, cognitive function and costs of a desflurane inhalational vs. a total intravenous anaesthesia regimen in long‐term surgery

Background: The purpose of the study was to compare time of recovery, return of cognitive function, post‐anaesthetic care unit (PACU) stay and costs of a propofol/remifentanil (TIVA) with a desflurane/fentanyl‐based anaesthesia (desflurane group) in surgical procedures lasting more than 150 min.
URGENCIAS CLÍNICAS. COMPORTAMIENTO SEGÚN SU GRAVEDAD

En muchos paises desarrollados se viene observando en los ultimos anos un incremento de las urgencias atendidas en los hospitales. En esta tendencia influyen diversas causas, entre las que se destacan los cambios sociodemograficos producidos en las grandes ciudades, y la atraccion que ejercen sobre la poblacion los centros hospitalarios, debido a la idea extendida (entre los usuarios) de que al ser centros altamente especializados la atencion es mejor. Actualmente se reporta, en la literatura internacional, que la demanda de servicios de urgencias, tanto a nivel prehospitalario
Filter objects for Java

Filtering is an emerging abstraction in object‐oriented systems. Filtering can be characterized by an ability to filter messages in transit and perform intermediate actions. Filters can be used for carrying out intermediate tasks such as encryption, load balancing, caching, security checks and add‐on computations. A few filtering approaches have been proposed earlier and some commercial implementations with specialized filtering capabilities are available. This paper discusses a model for transparent and dynamically pluggable first class filter objects for object‐oriented systems based on the Java programming language. The filter object model is based on an interclass filter relationship. The model is realized through extensions to the Java programming language. Filter objects can be injected into message paths during execution time and they are transparent to both clients and servers. The properties of filter objects enable them to be employed as a mechanism for evolution promoting reuse of existing code. A method of evolution through filter objects is discussed. A translator for Java filters (TJF) has been designed and implemented. TJF translates an extended Java program involving filter constructs into an equivalent Java code. The translation scheme is presented and the performance of the translated code is analyzed. A brief survey of existing approaches related to filtering in object‐oriented systems has also been presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Nature of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the nature of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-five excised tumors were studied morphologically to confirm the histopathologic features of the tumor. METHODS: Paraffin sections of all tumor specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for elastic fiber, polyclonal antibody to factor VIII—related antigen and monoclonal antibodies to smooth muscle actin, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor. A quantitative assessment of the vascular component changes was also performed in 14 cases. Ultrathin sections of 5 tumors were studied electromicroscopically. Particular attention was paid to the progressive changes of both vascular and fibrous components as well as their mutual relationship. RESULTS: (1) Beneath the endothelium of the vascular component, there was a thin layer of spindle cells; these cells had a positive reaction for smooth muscle actin, thus proving to be pericytes. (2) The actively proliferating site of the tumor was usually at the peripheral portion, with abundant vascular element lined by plump endothelial cells. (3) At the central and base locations, the growth of tumor tissue usually appeared to be in a relatively resting state. The vascular component decreased in amount as the extracellular collagenous fibers increased. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the bicellular mixed composition of the vascular component and the tendency of synchronous maturation of both vascular and fibrous elements, it is suggested that juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is similar to most hemangiomas by nature and is likely a vascular hamartoma or a pathologic and reactive proliferation of vessels. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000; 123:475-81.)
Cognitive‐behavioral stress management improves stress‐management skills and quality of life in men recovering from treatment of prostate carcinoma

The current study evaluated the efficacy of a 10‐week, group‐based, cognitive‐behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention relative to a half‐day seminar in improving quality of life (QoL) among men who were treated for localized prostate carcinoma (PC) with either radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation therapy.
Gonococcal opacity protein promotes bacterial entry-associated rearrangements of the epithelial cell actin cytoskeleton

Neisseria gonorrhoeae enters cultured human mucosal cells following binding of a distinct gonococcal opacity (Opa) outer membrane protein to cell surface proteoglycan receptors. We examined the route of internalization that is activated by Opa-expressing gonococci (strain VP1). Microscopy of infected Chang epithelial cells showed that gonococcal uptake was insensitive to monodansylcadaverine (150 microM), which interferes with clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Similarly, indirect immunofluorescence staining for clathrin in infected cells showed distribution of cellular clathrin unaltered from the distribution in noninfected cells. The microtubule inhibitors colchicine (50 microM) and nocodazole (20 microM) but not the microtubule-stabilizing agent taxol (10 microM) caused a moderate (30 to 50%) reduction in gonococcal entry without affecting bacterial adherence. The most dramatic effects were obtained with the microfilament-disrupting agent cytochalasin D (3 microM), which totally blocked bacterial entry into the cells. Double immunofluorescence staining of gonococci and actin filaments in infected cells demonstrated bacterium-associated accumulations of F-actin as an early signal of bacterial entry. The recruitment of F-actin was transient and disappeared once the bacteria were inside the cells. Cytochalasin D disrupted the actin cytoskeleton architecture but did not prevent the recruitment of F-actin by the bacteria. Adherent, noninvasive gonococcal Opa variants lacked the ability to mobilize F-actin. Recombinant Escherichia coli expressing the gonococcal invasion-promoting Opa of gonococcal strain MS11 (Opa50) adhered to the epithelial cells in an Opa-dependent fashion but was not internalized and did not recruit detectable amounts of F-actin. Coinfection with the E. coli recombinant strain and gonococci resulted in specific entry of the diplococci, despite the presence of large numbers of adherent E. coli cells. Together, our results indicate that Opa-mediated gonococcal entry into Chang cells resembles phagocytosis rather than macropinocytosis reported for Salmonella spp. and sequentially involves gonococcal adherence to the cell surface, Opa-dependent and cytochalasin-insensitive recruitment of F-actin, and cytochalasin D-sensitive bacterial internalization.
Trend & prospects of haptic technology in mobile devices

Through researches defining tactile feeling on touched surfaces, researchers have begun to examine how to design effective tactile actuators and displays. In this paper, we present the state-of-the-art in tactile actuators and modules for mobile device applications. This paper focuses on tactile actuators such as solenoid actuators, piezo-actuators, electroactive polymers, ultrasonic actuators and MR fluids. The characteristics of actuators are presented and compared. Various tactile modules using the actuators are examined. In addition, the ultimate goal of haptics is discussed.
Influence of the Culture Media and the Organic Matter in the Growth of Paxillus ammoniavirescens (Contu & Dessi)

Abstract The genus Paxillus is characterized by the difficulty of species identification, which results in reproducibility problems, as well as the need for large quantities of fungal inoculum. In particular, studies of Paxillus ammoniavirescens have reported divergent results in the in vitro growth while little is known of its capacity to degrade organic matter. For all the above, and assuming that this variability could be due to an inappropriate culture media, the aim of this study was to analyse growth in different culture media (MMN, MS, and 1/2 MS) and in the case of MMN in presence/absence of two types of organic matter (fresh litter and senescence litter) to probe the saprophytic ability of P. ammoniavirescens. We also evaluated the effects of pH changes in the culture media. Growth kinetics was assessed by weekly quantification of the area of growth in solid culture media over 5 wk, calculating the growth curves and inflection points of each culture media. In addition, final biomass after 5 wk in the different culture media was calculated. Results showed that best culture media are MS and 1/2 MS. Moreover, an improvement in growth in culture media containing decomposing fall litter was observed, leading to confirm differences in the culture media of this species with others of the same genus. Further, we established that all growth media suffered a significant acidification after fungal growth.
Identification of insulin-degrading enzyme on the surface of cultured human lymphocytes, rat hepatoma cells, and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

Antisera specific for insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase were used as probes to identify these enzymes on the surface of cells. Three different experimental approaches indicated that the antibodies to IDE were bound to the surface of IM-9 cultured human lymphocytes. First, IDE-antibodies could be visually detected on the surface of the IM-9 cells after incubation with a peroxidase- linked antibody directed against the first antibody and histochemical staining for peroxidase activity. A spectrophotometric assay for peroxidase activity demonstrated that 15 times more peroxidase bound to the IM-9 cells incubated with the IDE-antibodies than co cells incubated with control antibody. Further, the increased binding of the IDE-antibodies to the IM-9 cell was inhibited 80% by absorption of the antiserum with purified IDE. A second approach was to perform flow fluorometry on IM-9 cells incubated first with control antibody or IDE-antibodies and next with a fluorescent antibody .
7 The Flipping Cube : A Device for Rotating 3 D Rasters

Driven by the prospect of three-dimensional rasters as a primary vehicle for future 3D graphics and volumetric imaging, this paper introduces an architecture for real-time rendering of high-resolution volumetric images. The Flipping Cube Architecture utilizes parallel memory organization and a unique data orientation scheme in order to support contention free access to viewing rays.
Educational mismatches in the EU: immigrants vs natives

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to analyse and explain the factors contributing to the observed differences in skill mismatches (vertical and horizontal) between natives and immigrants in EU countries. Design/methodology/approach - – Using microdata from the 2007 wave of the Adult Education Survey (AES), different probit models are specified and estimated to analyse differences in the probability of each type of skill mismatch between natives and immigrants. Yun’s decomposition method is used to identify the relative contribution of characteristics and returns to explain the differences between the two groups. Findings - – Immigrants are more likely to be skill mismatched than natives. The difference is much larger for vertical mismatch, wherein the difference is higher for immigrants coming from non-EU countries than for those coming from other EU countries. The authors find that immigrants from non-EU countries are less valued in EU labour markets than natives with similar characteristics – a result that is not observed for immigrants from EU countries. These results could be related to the limited transferability of human capital acquired in non-EU countries. Social implications - – The findings suggest that specific programmes to adapt immigrants’ human capital acquired in the home country are required to reduce differences in the incidence of skill mismatch and better integration into EU labour markets. Originality/value - – This research is original, because it distinguishes between horizontal and vertical mismatch – an issue that has not been considered in the literature on differences between native and immigrant workers and due to the wide geographical scope of the analysis, which considers EU and non-EU countries.
Reconstitution of the gastrointestinal microflora of lactobacillus-free mice

A colony of mice that do not harbor lactobacilli in their digestive tracts but whose intestinal microflora is otherwise functionally similar to that of conventional animals was derived. Methods used to reconstitute the intestinal microflora of the mice included inoculation of the animals with cultures of specific microbes, noncultivable microbes attached to epithelial cells, and cecal contents from conventional mice treated with chloramphenicol. Twenty-six microflora-associated characteristics were monitored by using relatively simple tests to determine the microflora status of the mice.
The effect of a 5‐HT3‐antagonist on the ileal brake mechanism in the rat

Abstract— Studies have been carried out on 7 male adult rats to investigate how the action of the selective 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist, granisetron, influences gastrointestinal transit under control conditions and when it is delayed by ileal infusion of lipid. Stomach to caecum transit time (SCTT) was measured using environmental hydrogen analysis. Subcutaneous administration of granisetron (BRL 43694, 40 μg kg−1) significantly delayed the passage of the head of the baked bean meal through the stomach and the small intestine under control conditions (P < 0·05). The same compound, however, significantly reversed the delay in SCTT induced by ileal infusion of lipid (P < 0·001). These apparently paradoxical results may be rationalized by postulating inhibition of receptors on afferent nerves initiating reflexes that both accelerate and delay transit.
Comparative proteome analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG strains: towards functional genomics of microbial pathogens

In 1993, the WHO declared tuberculosis a global emergency on the basis that there are 8 million new cases per year. The complete genome of the strain H37Rv of the causative microorganism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, comprising 3924 genes has been sequenced. We compared the proteomes of two non‐virulent vaccine strains of M. bovis BCG (Chicago and Copenhagen) with two virulent strains of M. tuberculosis (H37Rv and Erdman) to identify protein candidates of value for the development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. The mycobacterial strains were analysed by two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) combining non‐equilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE) with SDS–PAGE. Distinct and characteristic proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and introduced into a dynamic 2‐DE database (http://www.mpiib‐berlin.mpg.de/2D‐PAGE). Silver‐stained 2‐DE patterns of mycobacterial cell proteins or culture supernatants contained 1800 or 800 spots, respectively, from which 263 were identified. Of these, 54 belong to the culture supernatant. Sixteen and 25 proteins differing in intensity or position between M. tuberculosis H37Rv and Erdman, and H37Rv and M. bovis BCG Chicago, respectively, were identified and categorized into protein classes. It is to be hoped that the availability of the mycobacterial proteome will facilitate the design of novel measures for prevention and therapy of one of the great health threats, tuberculosis.