Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultracompact metasurface in-line polarimeter

In-line polarimeters perform nondestructive polarization measurements of optical signals, and play a critical role in monitoring and controlling the polarization environment in, for example, optical networks. While current in-line polarimeters are constructed with multiple optical components, either fabricated into an optical fiber or using free-space optics, we present here a novel architecture conducive to monolithic on-chip integration. This enables the scalable fabrication of high-performance polarization sensors with exceptional stability, compactness, and speed. The method relies on the detection of the highly polarization-dependent scattered field of a subwavelength antenna array known as a metasurface, and is shown here to provide polarization state measurements matching those of a state-of-the-art commercial polarimeter.
Mobile phone radiation during pubertal development has no effect on testicular histology in rats

Mobile phones are extensively used throughout the world. There is a growing concern about the possible public health hazards posed by electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phones. Potential health risk applies particularly to the most intensive mobile phone users—typically, young people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mobile phone exposure to the testes, by assessing the histopathological and biochemical changes in the testicular germ cells of rats during pubertal development. A total of 12 male Sprague Dawley rats were used. The study group (n = 6) was exposed to a mobile phone for 1 h a day for 45 days, while the control group (n = 6) remained unexposed. The testes were processed with routine paraffin histology and sectioned. They were stained with hematoxylin–eosin, caspase 3, and Ki-67 and then photographed. No changes were observed between the groups (p > 0.05). The interstitial connective tissue and cells of the exposed group were of normal morphology. No abnormalities in the histological appearance of the seminiferous tubules, including the spermatogenic cycle stage, were observed. Our study demonstrated that mobile phones with a low specific absorption rate have no harmful effects on pubertal rat testicles.
Refrigeration performance research and simulation of two-stage ejector with water cooled condenser

In order to make the ejector refrigeration system reach subzero refrigeration, the ejector structure is optimized in this paper. A two-stage ejector model in series with two ejectors is proposed. Comparing with traditional single ejector models, the two-stage ejector carries out a two boost of the secondary flow by connecting two ejectors in series. Using a water cooled condenser can also reduce the outlet pressure. Thus the pressure burden of a single ejector is reduced. The effectiveness of the proposed model is validated by simulation data. It is shown that the minimum refrigerating temperature of the two-stage ejector can achieve the refrigeration temperature requirement.
Dual Fuzzy-Possibilistic Coclustering for Categorization of Documents

In this paper, we develop a new soft model dual fuzzy-possibilistic coclustering (DFPC) for document categorization. The proposed model targets robustness to outliers and richer representations of coclusters. DFPC is inspired by an existing algorithm called possibilistic fuzzy C-means (PFCM) that hybridizes fuzzy and possibilistic clustering. It has been shown that PFCM can perform effectively for low-dimensional data clustering. To achieve our goal, we expand this existing idea by introducing a novel PFCM-like coclustering model. The new algorithm DFPC preserves the desired properties of PFCM. In addition, as a coclustering algorithm, DFPC is more suitable for our intended high-dimensional application: document clustering. Besides, the coclustering mechanism enables DFPC to generate, together with document clusters, fuzzy-possibilistic word memberships. These word memberships, which are absent in the existing PFCM model, can play an important role in generating useful descriptions of document clusters. We detail the formulation of the proposed model and provide an extensive analytical study of the algorithm DFPC. Experiments on an artificial dataset and various benchmark document datasets demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of DFPC.
Business information system recovery priority decision using TOPSIS on interval data

Purpose – The extended TOPSIS approach including the analytical hierarchy process method is used to solve business recovery priority decision problem mixed with interval data and exact data of an insurance company. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – According to the concept of TOPSIS, the authors construct the normalized decision matrix and the weighted normalized decision matrix. Using the vertex method, the authors calculate the distance of each alternative from the positive or negative ideal solution. Findings – The proposed TOPSIS algorithms on interval data provide a useful framework for systematic risk assessment that an incident or disaster manager can use to prioritize recovery during business discontinuity. Research limitations/implications – As a managerial implication, the proposed method can be applied to any case for providing information for risk management decision-making in industrial and service organizations. As for a future direction, other decision-ma.
Persecutory delusions in dementia.

BACKGROUND Persecutory delusions are common in dementia. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and characteristics of persecutory delusions in demented patients. METHOD The sample population included 167 demented patients (DSM-III-R criteria) admitted to a geropsychiatric ward. Patients were assessed for the occurrence of any persecutory delusions since the onset of dementia. The content of persecutory delusions, the patients' response to the delusions, and any concomitant psychiatric symptoms were also explored. RESULTS Of the 167 demented patients, 45 (26.9%) showed symptoms of persecutory delusions. Patients with persecutory delusions had a higher prevalence of other delusions, hallucinations, and physically aggressive behaviors. The deluded patients often thought that their caregivers were their persecutors and had a wide range of responses to their delusions. After they were hospitalized, many of these patients attacked medical staff and were uncooperative with treatment. CONCLUSION Persecutory delusions are common in dementia of various types. Deluded patients often have vigorous responses to their delusions including physically aggressive behaviors and suicide attempts. Careful evaluation is needed to assess the potential for violent and suicidal behaviors in these patients. Medical staff should be alert to clinical strategies for handling the treatment of such patients when they become violent or uncooperative.
Differential innate responses of chickens and ducks to low-pathogenic avian influenza

Ducks and chickens are hosts of avian influenza virus, each with distinctive responses to infection. To understand these differences, we characterized the innate immune response to low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus H7N1 infection in chickens and ducks. Viral RNA was detected in the lungs of chickens from day 0.8 to 7, in ducks mainly at day 4. In both species, viral RNA was detected in the bursa and gut. Infection in chickens resulted in up-regulation of interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-β mRNA, while in the ducks IFN-γ mRNA was strongly up-regulated in the lung and bursa. In chickens and ducks, all investigated pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) mRNAs were up-regulated; however, in the chicken lung Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 and melanoma differentiation-associated protein (MDA)-5 mRNA were strongly induced. TLR3, TLR7 and MDA-5 responses correlated with IFN-α and IFN-β responses in chickens, but in ducks a correlation between IFN-α and TLR7, retinoic acid-inducible gene-I and MDA-5 was absent. We studied the responses of duck and chicken splenocytes to poly(I:C) and R848 analogues to analyse the regulation of PRRs without the interfering mechanisms of the influenza virus. This revealed IFN-α and IFN-γ responses in both species. MDA-5 was only strongly up-regulated in chicken splenocytes, in which time-related PRR responses correlated with the IFN-α and IFN-β response. This correlation was absent in duck splenocytes. In conclusion, chickens and ducks differ in induction of MDA-5, TLR7 and IFN-α mRNA after an influenza virus infection in vivo and after in vitro stimulation with TLR antagonists.
Renal and vascular protective effects of ezetimibe in chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for not only cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but also chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ezetimibe, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, lowers cholesterol levels by inhibiting both extrinsic and intrinsic cholesterol absorption via the gastrointestinal duct. However, very few studies have examined its efficacy and safety for patients with dyslipidemia complicated with CKD. METHODS Thirty-seven dyslipidemic patients (low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥120 mg/dL) complicated with CKD were given ezetimibe (10 mg/day) for twenty-four weeks. The efficacy and safety of the therapy, including the anti-atherosclerotic and renal protective effects, were then examined. RESULTS Significant decreases were observed in the levels of LDL-C (158.9 ± 26.9 mg/dL→123.0 ± 31.8 mg/dL; p<0.0001), remnant-like lipoprotein cholesterol (9.3 ± 5.3 mg/dL→7.3 ± 3.8 mg/dL; p<0.05) and lipoprotein (a) (22.0 ± 16.1 mg/dL→16.4 ± 11.0 mg/dL; p<0.01). The estimated glomerular filtration rate did not change, but the urine protein to creatinine ratio decreased significantly (1,107.3 ± 1,454.2 mg/gCre→732.1 ± 1,237.8 mg/gCre; p<0.05). No changes were observed in the carotid intima media thickness, but the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity decreased significantly (1,770.4 ± 590.3 cm/sec→1,702.5 ± 519.9 cm/sec; p<0.05). No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION Ezetimibe can be safely administered even to patients with CKD. The results of this study indicate that ezetimibe may provide some renal protection and suppress the complications of CVD in CKD patients.
Pure and Fe-Doped Mesoporous Titania Catalyse the Oxidation of Acid Orange 7 by H2O2 under Different Illumination Conditions: Fe Doping Improves Photocatalytic Activity under Simulated Solar Light

A sample of mesoporous TiO2 (MT, specific surface area = 150 m2·g−1) and two samples of MT containing 2.5 wt. % Fe were prepared by either direct synthesis doping (Fe2.5-MTd) or impregnation (Fe2.5-MTi). Commercial TiO2 (Degussa P25, specific surface area = 56 m2 g−1) was used both as a benchmark and as a support for impregnation with either 0.8 or 2.5 wt. % Fe (Fe0.80-IT and Fe2.5-IT). The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 isotherms at −196 °C, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Diffuse Reflectance (DR) ultra-violet (UV)-Vis and Mossbauer spectroscopies. Degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) by H2O2 was the test reaction: effects of dark-conditions versus both UV and simulated solar light irradiation were considered. In dark conditions, AO7 conversion was higher with MT than with Degussa P25, whereas Fe-containing samples were active in a (slow) Fenton-like reaction. Under UV light, MT was as active as Degussa P25, and Fe doping enhanced the photocatalytic activity of Fe2.5-MTd; Fe-impregnated samples were also active, likely due to the occurrence of a photo-Fenton process. Interestingly, the Fe2.5-MTd sample showed the best performance under solar light, confirming the positive effect of Fe doping by direct synthesis with respect to impregnation.
Complete Sequence of blaKPC-2-Harboring Plasmid with a Mosaic of IncN1- and IncN3-Type Plasmids in a Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate from South Korea

A carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate was isolated from the pus of a patient in a South Korean hospital in September 2013. The isolate belongs to ST1612, which has been found in Japan (1). Because Japanese ST1612 isolates do not produce KPC-2, the South Korean isolate probably acquired the plasmid bearing bla KPC-2 from other species or a clone. For the present study, we obtained the complete sequence of a plasmid carrying bla KPC-2 from the South Korean K. pneumoniae isolate to under-stand the emergence of a new KPC-2-producing clone, and the spread of the bla KPC-2 gene as a result of the mobility of Tn 4401 was shown.
Singlet glycine riboswitches bind ligand as well as tandem riboswitches

The glycine riboswitch often occurs in a tandem architecture, with two ligand-binding domains (aptamers) followed by a single expression platform. Based on previous observations, we hypothesized that “singlet” versions of the glycine riboswitch, which contain only one aptamer domain, are able to bind glycine if appropriate structural contacts are maintained. An initial alignment of 17 putative singlet riboswitches indicated that the single consensus aptamer domain is flanked by a conserved peripheral stem–loop structure. These singlets were sorted into two subtypes based on whether the active aptamer domain precedes or follows the peripheral stem–loop, and an example of each subtype of singlet riboswitch was characterized biochemically. The singlets possess glycine-binding affinities comparable to those of previously published tandem examples, and the conserved peripheral domains form A-minor interactions with the single aptamer domain that are necessary for ligand-binding activity. Analysis of sequenced genomes identified a significant number of singlet glycine riboswitches. Based on these observations, we propose an expanded model for glycine riboswitch gene control that includes singlet and tandem architectures.
Evaluative Learning with “Subliminally” Presented Stimuli

Evaluative learning refers to the change in the affective evaluation of a previously neutral stimulus (NS) that occurs after the stimulus has been associated with a second, positive or negative, affective stimulus (AS). Four experiments are reported in which the AS was presented very briefly. Significant evaluative learning was observed in participants who did not notice the presentation of the affective stimuli (ASi) (Experiment 2) or could not discriminate between the briefly presented positive and negative ASi when asked to do so (Experiment 3). In two other experiments (Experiments 1 and 4), no significant learning effect was obtained. A meta-analysis performed on the present and previously reported results (De Houwer, Baeyens, & Eelen, 1994) gave evidence for a small, though statistically reliable evaluative learning effect when ASi are presented "subliminally. " This finding supports the hypothesis that evaluative associations can be learned implicitly.
Reinfections, Persistent Infections, and New Infections After General Population Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in The Netherlands

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of new infections and reinfections or persistent infections with Chlamydia trachomatis to define appropriate screening intervals and to identify risk factors for reinfection. Design: This was a cross-sectional study among a subsample of participants in a population-based screening. Setting: This study was conducted in urban and rural areas in The Netherlands. Participants: A total of 21,000 15- to 29-year-old women and men were invited for home-based urine testing. One year after the study, a subsample of 299 participants were offered retesting. Main Outcome Measures: The authors studied the rate of infection with C. trachomatis. Serovar determination was used to potentially discriminate between new infections and reinfections or persistent infections. Results: Nine C. trachomatis infections were found among 187 responders (4.8% confidence interval, 1.7–7.9). The prevalence was 10.4% (5 of 48) in previous positives and 2.9% (4 of 139) in negatives. Three of 5 repeatedly positive participants were infected with a different C. trachomatis serovar. Conclusions: Our study indicates that infected persons found in a systematic, population-based screening should be rescreened within 1 year. Optimal screening intervals still need to be determined.
Simvastatin for rats with thioacetamide‐induced liver failure and encephalopathy

Background and Aim: Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition aggravates hepatic damage and encephalopathy and increases mortality in rats with thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced acute liver failure. Statins enhance NO synthase expression beyond their lipid‐lowering capability, but the impact on encephalopathy remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of simvastatin on rats with TAA‐induced acute liver damage and hepatic encephalopathy.
Clinical utility of bilateral whole-breast US in the evaluation of women with dense breast tissue.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical utility of bilateral whole-breast ultrasonography (US) as an adjunct examination to mammography in asymptomatic women with dense (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System [BI-RADS] density category 3 or 4) breast tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between July 1998 and April 2000, 1,862 patients with negative findings at clinical examinations, negative mammographic results, and breast tissue with BI-RADS category 3 or 4 density were evaluated with bilateral whole-breast US for occult cystic and solid masses, areas of architectural distortion, and acoustic shadowing. Suggestive findings were compared with tissue diagnoses from US-guided core biopsy specimens. US was initially performed by a US or a mammography technologist. The average time to perform the examination was approximately 10 minutes. Abnormal findings were corroborated by a fellowship-trained breast-imaging radiologist. RESULTS In the 1,862 women examined with bilateral whole-breast US, 57 biopsies were recommended in 56 patients; follow-up data were available in 51 of the 56 patients. Six breast cancers were detected (cancer detection rate, 0.3%). CONCLUSION Bilateral whole-breast US, when performed in patients with dense (BI-RADS category 3 or 4 density) breast tissue, is useful in detecting breast cancer not discovered with mammography or clinical breast examination. The 0.3% cancer detection rate compares favorably with that of screening mammography and with that in previously published studies involving bilateral whole-breast US.
Multiprotocol transport networking: a general internetworking solution

The multiprotocol transport networking (MPTN) architecture proposed in this paper is a general solution to providing interconnectivity for applications. The MPTN architecture provides a protocol-independent system interface that includes most functions provided by existing transport protocols. As a result, the MPTN architecture decouples higher-layer protocols, application programming interfaces, and applications from protocols at the transport layer and below. Using the MPTN architecture, current and new applications can function unmodified over any transport supported under the MPTN interface. In addition, MPTN transport-layer gateways provide an end-to-end communication facility across a number of networks running different protocols. Therefore, a collection of networks running different protocols can serve as a single logical network. <<ETX>>
Time course of recovery of health status following an infective exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Background: The magnitude and time course of effect of an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB) on health status are not known. Data from the GLOBE study, a randomised double blind trial of antibiotic therapy, were used to investigate these effects. Methods: 438 patients with AECB received either gemifloxacin 320 mg once daily for 5 days (214 patients) or clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 7 days (224 patients) and were followed up for 26 weeks. St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were obtained at baseline and after 4, 12, and 26 weeks. Results: At presentation during an exacerbation SGRQ scores were worse (Total score difference 5.4 units, 95% CI 1.9 to 8.8, p=0.002) in patients who had a subsequent exacerbation during follow up. The greatest improvement in SGRQ score occurred within the first 4 weeks (mean 8.9 units, 95% CI 6.5 to 11.5, p<0.0001). Subsequently, scores improved more rapidly in patients with no further exacerbations. At 26 weeks the difference between the two groups was 9.6 units (95% CI 5.7 to 13.4, p<0.0001). In patients with no further exacerbations the SGRQ score improved between 4 and 12 weeks by a further 4.1 units (95% CI 2.2 to 5.9, p<0.0001). Conclusions: A single infective AECB has a sustained effect on health status. The recovery period is long even in patients who have no further exacerbations. A second episode within 6 months limits recovery markedly. Treatments that reduce exacerbation frequency could have a significant impact on health status.
Intelligent hydrogels for the oral delivery of chemotherapeutics

A novel approach toward improvements of oral chemotherapeutic formulations has evolved, which combines solubilisation (molecular dispersion) of the hydrophobic anticancer drugs in micelles attached to large macromolecules or microparticles. The large size of the macromolecules or microgels prevents the gel components from being transported into the systemic circulation. The discussed gels comprise copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and Pluronic® surfactants, linked via C–C bonds. The Pluronic-PAA copolymers are non-irritating when administered orally. The micelles formed in the Pluronic-PAA solutions and in crosslinked microgels can be loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs and then released in contact with the intestine. The microgels are collapsed at the acidic pH of the stomach and expand, thus releasing the loaded drugs at the pH of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Yet the microgels are mucoadhesive and enable longer retention time and prolonged release in the colon. Ease of preparation and formulation of the drugs with the Pluronic-PAA polymers and gels may enable the wider use of oral chemotherapy, resulting in a better patient compliance and improved quality of life of the patients.
Probabilistic atlas and geometric variability estimation to drive tissue segmentation

Computerized anatomical atlases play an important role in medical image analysis. While an atlas usually refers to a standard or mean image also called template, which presumably represents well a given population, it is not enough to characterize the observed population in detail. A template image should be learned jointly with the geometric variability of the shapes represented in the observations. These two quantities will in the sequel form the atlas of the corresponding population. The geometric variability is modeled as deformations of the template image so that it fits the observations. In this paper, we provide a detailed analysis of a new generative statistical model based on dense deformable templates that represents several tissue types observed in medical images. Our atlas contains both an estimation of probability maps of each tissue (called class) and the deformation metric. We use a stochastic algorithm for the estimation of the probabilistic atlas given a dataset. This atlas is then used for atlas‐based segmentation method to segment the new images. Experiments are shown on brain T1 MRI datasets. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.