Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microwave Generation With Photonic Frequency Sextupling Based on Cascaded Modulators

A novel scheme to optically generate a microwave signal with frequency sextupling is proposed. The proposed scheme is based on cascading an intensity modulator (IM) and a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DPMZM), without any optical or electrical filter. The low frequency local oscillator signal is divided into two paths, with one path driving the IM at the minimum transmission point and the other path driving the upper arm of the DPMZM. By controlling the three dc biases of the DPMZM, the third-order sidebands are generated, with other sidebands well suppressed. A 20-dB electrical spurious suppression ratio is demonstrated in the experiment. The phase noise measurements show that the phase noise performance of the generated microwave signal is not deteriorated by the optical system. The proposed scheme has no strict requirements for the modulation indexes and the generated signal exhibits advantages of high frequency tunability and purity.
A Secure Implementation of a Symmetric Encryption Algorithm in White-Box Attack Contexts

In a white-box context, an adversary has total visibility of the implementation of the cryptosystem and full control over its execution platform. As a countermeasure against the threat of key compromise in this context, a new secure implementation of the symmetric encryption algorithm SHARK is proposed. The general approach is to merge several steps of the round function of SHARK into table lookups, blended by randomly generated mixing bijections. We prove the soundness of the implementation of the algorithm and analyze its security and efficiency. The implementation can be used in web hosts, digital right management devices, and mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones. We explain how the design approach can be adapted to other symmetric encryption algorithms with a slight modification.
Young coconut juice, a potential therapeutic agent that could significantly reduce some pathologies associated with Alzheimer's disease: novel findings

Brains from ovariectomised (ovx) rats can display features similar to those observed in menopausal women with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and oestrogen seems to play a key role. Preliminary studies on young coconut juice (YCJ) have reported the presence of oestrogen-like components in it. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of YCJ on the AD pathological changes in the brains of ovx rats. Rat groups included sham-operated, ovx, ovx+oestradiol benzoate (EB) and ovx+YCJ. Brain sections (4 μm) were taken and were immunostained with β-amyloid (Aβ) 1–42, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (an intermediate neurofilament of astrocytes) and Tau-1 antibodies. Aβ 1–42, GFAP and Tau-1 are considered as reliable biomarkers of amyloidosis, astrogliosis and tauopathy (neurofibrillary tangles), respectively, which in turn are characteristic features associated with AD. The serum oestradiol (E2) level was measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay technique. YCJ restored the serum E2 to levels significantly (P < 0·001) higher than that of the ovx group, and even that of the sham group. Aβ deposition was significantly (P < 0·0001) reduced in the cerebral cortex of the YCJ group, as compared with the ovx group and with the sham and ovx+EB groups (P < 0·01). A similar trend was observed in relation to GFAP expression in the cerebral cortex and to Tau-1 expression in the hippocampus. This is a novel study demonstrating that YCJ could have positive future implications in the prevention and treatment of AD in menopausal women.
Apodized Silicon-on-Insulator Bragg Gratings

An accurate control of the apodization profile is still an issue for integrated Bragg grating filters fabricated in silicon-on-insulator because of the high modal confinement of these waveguides. In this letter, we present two fabrication-friendly apodization techniques that are compatible with deep UV lithography and can be used in mass-production of photonic-integrated circuits. These techniques are reliable even for weak effective index modulation amplitude, thus opening the door to the fabrication of long and elaborate grating structures.
Algorithimic Aspects of the Consecutive-Ones Property

We survey the consecutive-ones property of binary matrices. Herein, a binary matrix has the consecutive-ones property (C1P) if there is a permutation of its columns that places the 1s consecutively in every row. We provide an overview over connections to graph theory, characterizations, recognition algorithms, and applications such as integer linear programming and solving Set Cover.
Effect of complete stimulus predictability on P3 and N2 components: an electroencephalographic study

In everyday life one may encounter both unpredictable and self-initiated, hence anticipated, events. Here, we analyzed the effects of self-initiated auditory stimulus presentation on P3 and N2 components in an oddball paradigm. If the stimulus sequence was fully self-determined, both components were attenuated in comparison with computer-controlled representation. In contrast, both components were increased when only the stimulus onset was self-initiated, yet the forthcoming stimulus type was unknown. We hypothesize that predictive forward models offer an unifying explanation for the modulation of both P3 and N2 through: (a) attenuation of neuronal responses to anticipated stimuli contingent on one's own motor action and (b) enhancement of responses in case of incongruity between an anticipated action effect and the actual perceptual consequences.
Health-promoting residential aged care: a pilot project in Austria.

Long-term care for the aged is an area that has not been in the focus of health promotion so far. The paper describes context, concept and project plan of a 2-year pilot project of comprehensive health-promoting setting development in residential aged care in Austria, and provides an overview over main experiences and results. Austria's most relevant health promotion agencies, a specialized scientific institute and Austria's largest provider of aged care acted as partners. The project aimed at developing elements of a comprehensive approach, but also providing evidence for the effectiveness of health promotion. Therefore, the project combined an organizational development approach with a scientific, randomized controlled study on mobility enhancement for residents. A comprehensive settings approach turned out acceptable for the main stakeholders of aged care (owners and management, staff, residents and residents' relatives). Strategy development, based on a systematic needs assessment, found staff health to be of special interest for the organization (ergonomics, workability over life course), and residents' relatives, got more attention. The mobility study was able to achieve positive results on occupational performance, concerning quality-of-life indicators and reached also formerly inactive groups. After the end of the project, health promotion is still on the agenda of the organization; further developments will be monitored. Good support from the policy level and well-established networking between the aged care provider, health promotion agencies and a network for health promotion in health care seems to have been an important resource for success.
INCOMPATIBLE EXPECTATIONS: THE DILEMMA OF BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS

The maternal process of managing established breastfeeding and, ultimately, weaning the child from the breast was explored using the grounded theory method. Data were analyzed from interview transcripts from mothers, field notes, postal questionnaires from fathers, and individual and discussion group interviews with child health nurses within a Western Australian context. A common social problem emerged for women in the management of their breastfeeding when personal expectations were found to oppose the expectations of others. Being confronted with these incompatible expectations resulted in confusion, self-doubt, and guilt for mothers. These findings are discussed to assist health professionals support breastfeeding mothers.
Pedagogy for rural health.

CONTEXT As the body of literature on rural health has grown, the need to develop a unifying theoretical framework has become more apparent. There are many different ways of seeing the same phenomenon, depending on the assumptions we make and the perspective we choose. A conceptual and theoretical basis for the education of health professionals in rural health has not yet been described. APPROACH This paper examines a number of theoretical frameworks that have been used in the rural health discourse and aims to identify relevant theory that originates from an educational paradigm. The experience of students in rural health is described phenomenologically in terms of two complementary perspectives, using a geographic basis on the one hand, and a developmental viewpoint on the other. The educational features and implications of these perspectives are drawn out. DISCUSSION The concept of a 'pedagogy of place' recognizes the importance of the context of learning and allows the uniqueness of a local community to integrate learning at all levels. The theory of critical pedagogy is also found relevant to education for rural health, which would ideally produce 'transformative' graduates who understand the privilege of their position, and who are capable of and committed to engaging in the struggles for equity and justice, both within their practices as well as in the wider society. CONCLUSION It is proposed that a 'critical pedagogy of place,' which gives due acknowledgement to local peculiarities and strengths, while situating this within a wider framework of the political, social and economic disparities that impact on the health of rural people, is an appropriate theoretical basis for a distinct rural pedagogy in the health sciences.
Plasmacytoid T Cells Immunohistochemical Evidence for Their Monocyte/Macrophage Origin

To elucidate the lineage of plasmacytoid T cells, their immunophenotype was studied in reactive lymph nodes with a broad panel of monoclonal antibodies. Plasmacytoid T cells expressed several myelomonocytic markers, and almost all markers highly selective unrecognized cell type in reactive human lymph These cells were initially categorized but based on their localization in T depen-dent areas,2 expression of some T cell-associated anti-gens,3-8 and content of rough reticu-lum,9 were renamed "T associated plasma cells" or "plasmacytoid T cells. "
Starchy Foods and Glycemic Index

Different starchy foods produce different glycemic responses when fed individually, and there is some evidence that this also applies in the context of the mixed meal. A major reason appears to relate to the rate at which the foods are digested and the factors influencing this. A similar ranking in terms of glycemic response to specific foods is seen independent of the carbohydrate tolerance status of the groups tested. Potentially clinically useful starchy foods producing relatively flat glycemic responses have been identified. Many of these are considered ethnic or traditional and include legumes; pasta; grains such as barley, parboiled rice, and bulgur (cracked wheat); and whole-grain breads such as pumpernickel. Specific incorporation of these foods into diets has been associated with reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in hyperlipidemia and with improved blood glucose control in insulin-dependent diabetic patients. To facilitate identification of such foods, it has been suggested that the glycemic response should be indexed to a standard (e.g., white bread) to allow comparisons to be made between the glycemic index of foods tested in different groups of subjects. The scope of application of this principle is subject to further investigation. It may be used to expand the range of possibly useful starchy foods for trial in the diets of diabetic patients.
Reconfiguration du routage multicast dans les réseaux optiques WDM . (Multicast routing reconfiguration in WDM optical networks)

Les reseaux optiques a multiplexage en longueur d’onde ou reseaux optiques WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) sont largement deployes aujourd’hui. Les applications multimedias, la Television sur IP (Internet Protocol), les visioconferences, destinees a plusieurs utilisateurs sont tres gourmandes en termes de bande passante. Le concept de multicast a ete introduit dans les reseaux IP pour optimiser l’utilisation des ressources des reseaux pour de telles applications. Ce concept a ete etendu aux reseaux optiques WDM. Ces reseaux sont frequemment perturbes par des phenomenes tels que les surcharges, les pannes, l’ajout ou la suppression des ressources de reseau par des operations de maintenance. Pour faire face a ces phenomenes perturbateurs, les operateurs de reseau calculent une nouvelle topologie (un nouveau routage) en fonction de l’etat du reseau. Ensuite le routage initial est reconfigure pour migrer vers la nouvelle topologie. Certaines applications telles que la Television sur IP ne tolerant pas les interruptions de connexion, la migration doit se faire sans interruption de flux. De plus, elle doit etre rapide pour faire face efficacement a l’evenement l’ayant declenche. Enfin, elle doit reduire le cout des ressources reseau utilisees. Le probleme etudie dans cette these est la reconfiguration rapide du routage multicast dans les reseaux optiques WDM. Cette reconfiguration doit se faire sans interruption de flux, tout en reduisant la duree du processus et les ressources du reseau utilisees. Les travaux realises durant cette these ont consiste a proposer differentes approches de resolution de ce probleme. Nous avons prouve qu’il n’existe pas d’algorithme pouvant reconfigurer tout arbre optique initial en tout arbre optique final en utilisant une seule longueur d’onde et sans interruption de flux. Nous avons propose donc des algorithmes qui utilisent des longueurs d’onde additionnelles. Dans une premiere approche, nous avons propose des algorithmes de reconfiguration par branche. Dans une seconde approche, nous avons propose un algorithme de reconfiguration par sous-arbre. Les performances de ces algorithmes ont ete evaluees dans differentes topologies couramment utilisees dans ce domaine de recherche.
Management of neuropathic pain with methylprednisolone at the site of nerve injury.

OBJECTIVE Peripheral nerve blocks with methylprednisolone may provide effective pain therapy by decreasing ectopic neuronal discharge and the release of local inflammatory mediators at the site of nerve injury. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of lidocaine alone with a combination of depo-methylprednisolone plus lidocaine in the management of neuropathic pain due to peripheral nerve damage. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind comparator trial. SETTING Group control (N = 44) received 0.5% lidocaine and group methylprednisolone (N = 44) received 80 mg depo-methylprednisolone + 0.5% lidocaine proximal to the site of nerve injury with a total amount of 10-20 mL solution according to the type of peripheral nerve block with nerve stimulator. OUTCOME MEASURES Demographic data, preblock numerical rating scales (NRSs), the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS(0) ) score, accompanying symptoms, and analgesic requirements were recorded. Postblock NRS scores were noted following peripheral nerve block and after 3 months. LANSS(1) , accompanying symptoms, and analgesic requirements were also reevaluated 3 months after the injection. RESULTS Demographic data, preblock NRS (8 ± 1.5 and 8.1 ± 1.2, respectively), postblock NRS (2.1 ± 1.2 and 2.4 ± 1.4, respectively), LANSS(0) (18.4 ± 2.2 and 18.2 ± 2.1, respectively), and accompanying symptoms were comparable between groups. Scores for the methylprednisolone group were significantly improved at 3-month postblock for NRS (2 ± 1.4 vs 5.2 ± 1.7) and LANSS(1) scores (4.14 ± 2.7 vs 14.1 ± 2.8), accompanying symptoms, and analgesic requirements (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that peripheral nerve block with 80 mg depo-methylprednisolone plus 0.5% lidocaine provides effective management in the treatment of neuropathic pain due to peripheral nerve damage.
Oritavancin Kills Stationary-Phase and Biofilm Staphylococcus aureus Cells In Vitro

ABSTRACT Slow-growing bacteria and biofilms are notoriously tolerant to antibiotics. Oritavancin is a lipoglycopeptide with multiple mechanisms of action that contribute to its bactericidal action against exponentially growing gram-positive pathogens, including the inhibition of cell wall synthesis and perturbation of membrane barrier function. We sought to determine whether oritavancin could eradicate cells known to be tolerant to many antimicrobial agents, that is, stationary-phase and biofilm cultures of Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. Oritavancin exhibited concentration-dependent bactericidal activity against stationary-phase inocula of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) ATCC 29213, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ATCC 33591, and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) VRS5 inoculated into nutrient-depleted cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth. As has been described for exponential-phase cells, oritavancin induced membrane depolarization, increased membrane permeability, and caused ultrastructural defects including a loss of nascent septal cross walls in stationary-phase MSSA. Furthermore, oritavancin sterilized biofilms of MSSA, MRSA, and VRSA at minimal biofilm eradication concentrations (MBECs) of between 0.5 and 8 μg/ml. Importantly, MBECs for oritavancin were within 1 doubling dilution of their respective planktonic broth MICs, highlighting the potency of oritavancin against biofilms. These results demonstrate a significant activity of oritavancin against S. aureus in phases of growth that exhibit tolerance to other antimicrobial agents.
The impacts of customer participation and company reputation on customer-company identification

This article investigates the impacts of customer participation and company reputation on customer-company identification and customer satisfaction. The findings of an experimental study in a fund market context show that both customer participation and company reputation positively affect customers' identification with the company; the effect of customer participation on customer satisfaction is partially mediated by customer-company identification; the effect of company reputation on customer satisfaction is fully mediated by customer-company identification. The findings enrich literature in customer-company identification and pinpoint an additional psychological mechanism that accounts for the effect of customer participation on customer satisfaction. Insightful managerial implications of these findings are discussed as well at the end of the article.
Two-year clinical, angiographic, and serial optical coherence tomographic follow-up after implantation of an everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffold and an everolimus-eluting metallic stent: insights from the randomised ABSORB Japan trial.

AIMS We sought to investigate two-year clinical and serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) outcomes after implantation of a fully bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) or a cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stent (CoCr-EES). METHODS AND RESULTS In the ABSORB Japan trial, 400 patients were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to BVS (N=266) or CoCr-EES (N=134). A pre-specified OCT subgroup (N=125, OCT-1 group) underwent angio-graphy and OCT post procedure and at two years. Overall, the two-year TLF rates were 7.3% and 3.8% in the BVS and CoCr-EES arms (p=0.18), respectively. Very late scaffold thrombosis (VLST) beyond one year was observed in 1.6% (four cases: all in non-OCT-1 subgroups) of the BVS arm, while there was no VLST in the CoCr-EES arm. In three cases, OCT at the time of or shortly after VLST demonstrated strut discontinuities, malapposition and/or uncovered struts. However, the vessel healing by two-year OCT was nearly complete in both BVS and CoCr-EES arms with almost fully covered struts, and minimal malapposition. The flow area by two-year OCT was smaller in the BVS arm than in the CoCr-EES arm, mainly due to tissue growth inside the device. However, there were no differences between the BVS and CoCr-EES with regard to the quality of homogenous tissues growing inside the devices. CONCLUSIONS The rate of TLF was numerically higher in the BVS arm than in the CoCr-EES arm, although this difference was not statistically significant. VLST was observed only in the BVS arm at a rate of 1.6% between one and two years. Further studies are mandatory to investigate the risk of BVS relative to metallic stents for VLST, and the underlying mechanisms of BVS VLST.
Penetración tecnológica en Aragón. De periferia a centro Technological penetration in Aragon. From periphery to Center pp.143-167

El desarrollo de las tecnologias de la informacion ha provocado en los ultimos anos la redefinicion de algunos conceptos tal y como se habian conocido hasta el momento, tal es el caso del tiempo y el espacio. En el presente articulo se analiza este proceso desde la perspectiva de Aragon. Esta comunidad autonoma comenzo el siglo XX como un territorio periferico en el conjunto de Espana, con un menor desarrollo industrial que la media estatal, lo que a su vez suponia un menor desarrollo urbano, economico y social. Tras los cambios experimentados a lo largo del siglo XX, Aragon se ha acercado a los niveles tanto espanoles como europeos tanto a nivel social como economico. Sin embargo, continua representando un territorio periferico con escasa presencia tanto a nivel poblacional como economico en el conjunto espanol. A pesar de ello y a diferencia de lo que ocurrio en otros momentos de la historia, la reduccion de la distancia entre el centro y la periferia, ha acercado a Aragon, incluso a sus zonas mas perifericas, a los estandares de penetracion y usos tecnologicos del resto del mundo.
Contrast Sensitivity—An Unnoticed Factor of Visual Perception in Children with Developmental Delay: Normal Data of the Cambridge Low Contrast Gratings Test in Children

Contrast sensitivity is one of several factors necessary to obtain good visual quality. The aim of this study was to develop normal data on the Cambridge Low Contrast Gratings test in children and to compare these data with data from a group of children with developmental delay. Ninety-nine normal children (aged 2-14 years) and 146 children with developmental delay were tested with the contrast sensitivity test. All children had normal visual acuity and stereopsis. The normal children had an age-dependent development in contrast sensitivity, and adult level was reached after the age of 10 years. A significantly lower score was found in children with developmental delay compared to normal children. The Cambridge Low Contrast Gratings test is suitable for preschool children and children with developmental delay because of its simplicity, and it might be a valuable tool in diagnosing ophthalmologic diseases in children with developmental delay.
Reversible shear thickening at low shear rates of electrorheological fluids under electric fields.

By shearing electrorheological (ER) fluids between two concentric cylinders, we show a reversible shear thickening of ER fluids above a low critical shear rate (<1 s(-1)) and a high critical electric field strength (>100 V/mm), which can be characterized by a critical apparent viscosity. Shear thickening and electrostatic particle interaction-induced interparticle friction forces are considered to play an important role in the origin of lateral shear resistance of ER fluids, while the applied electric field controls the extent of shear thickening. The electric-field-controlled reversible shear thickening has implications for high-performance electrorheological-magnetorheological fluid design, clutch fluids with high friction forces triggered by applying a local electric field, other field-responsive materials, and intelligent systems.