Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of the gain flatness characteristics for 1.55 /spl mu/m erbium-doped fluoride fiber amplifiers

The flat gain over a broad spectral width offered by fluoride-based Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA) appears very attractive for wavelength-multiplex systems operating near 1550 nm. The relevant parameters (input pump and signal powers, fiber length) that determine the gain flatness characteristics of fluoride-based EDFA have been experimentally investigated. It is found that hat gain operation requires an optimal, though not critical, population inversion within the doped fiber, which is somewhat lower than the maximum population inversion achievable with 1.48 /spl mu/m-pumping. Implications on the design and operating conditions of fluoride-based EDFA are discussed. <<ETX>>
A 44 dBm 1.0–3.0 GHz GaN power amplifier with over 45% PAE at 6 dB back-off

In this paper we present a 1.0-3.0 GHz GaN power amplifier with significant back-off power added efficiency (PAE) enhancement. The design of the PA, which has two digitally controlled RF inputs, was derived from a practical combining network without assuming any idealized conditions at the higher harmonics. By using linear multi-harmonic calculations, a GaN PA design was optimized for high efficiency with a 6.7 dB peak to average power ratio (PAPR) WCDMA signal over 108% fractional bandwidth. Measurements on the assembled circuit demonstrated 44 ± 0.9 dBm maximum output power, and a drain efficiency and PAE at 6 dB output power back-off (OPBO) larger than 48% and 45%, respectively.
Expert vs Novice Evaluators - Comparison of Heuristic Evaluation Assessment

In this paper authors propose the comparison between results of website heuristic evaluation performed by small group of experts and large group of novice evaluators. Normally, heuristic evaluation is performed by few experts and requires their knowledge and experience to apply heuristics effectively. However, research involving usability experts is usually very costly. Therefore, authors propose the experiment in order to contrast the results of evaluation performed by novice evaluators that are familiar with assessed website to the results obtained from expert evaluators in order to verify if they are comparable. The usability of website was evaluated using the authorsâ heuristics with extended list of control questions.
Error diffusion algorithm with homogenous response in highlight and shadow areas

A modified error diffusion algorithm that results in a homogenous pulse distribution in the highlight and shadow areas of the binarized images is described. The distinction to standard error diffusion algorithms is a dynamic threshold imprint function that depends on the local input values and binary output pixel. The imprint function is generated by diffusing a one-dimensional function in the orthogonal direction, thereby allowing a fast implementation of a two-dimensional threshold imprint.
Muscle MRI in inherited neuromuscular disorders: Past, present, and future

Interest in muscle MRI has been largely stimulated in the last few years by the recognition of an increasing number of genetic defects in the field of inherited neuromuscular disorders. Muscle ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) have been used to detect the presence of muscle involvement in patients affected by these disorders, but until recently the use of muscle MRI has been, with a few exceptions, limited to detecting inflammatory forms. The aim of this review is to illustrate how muscle MRI, in combination with clinical evaluation, can contribute to the selection of appropriate genetic tests and more generally in the differential diagnosis of genetically distinct forms of neuromuscular disorders. Possible future applications of muscle MRI are also discussed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE , DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE , OR THE

Service continuity is the capability to provide persistent and reliable service, with graceful degradation in the presence of changes. We contend that the implicit need for such a capability is the primary driver of middleware efforts today. This is particularly important for networked control systems interacting with the real world, as they have strict safety requirements. Such systems have to tolerate numerous changes, such as component faults, node failures, and software upgrades, while maintaining operational integrity. We focus on providing service continuity for networked control systems. The various changes in such systems are classified and illustrated using our traffic control testbed. We then describe how Etherware, our middleware for networked control, handles these changes. Insights into co-design of Etherware, in conjunction with an implementation of our testbed, are presented. The ability of Etherware to provide service continuity, and the associated performance, is demonstrated through illustrative exper-
Towards Socially Responsible Biology: Two Cases in a Teacher Education Programme

Abstract Science teacher education has traditionally presented science as a body of knowledge to be mastered, along with the methods that may be used to help learners to master this body of knowledge. With pressure mounting on higher education institutions to engage more actively with communities, avenues have opened up to facilitate the development of teacher education courses that incorporate education for the empowerment of communities. This paper reports on two cases of socially responsible biology courses which enable students to interact with their communities. The two cases were applied in two biology education modules, using education for sustainable development (ESD) as a concept to define the content and activities incorporated in the above-mentioned modules. The first case incorporates ESD in a method module where students are required to develop an environmental policy for a school in collaboration with the school. The second case incorporates ESD in a biology education research module where students are required to direct their research activities in such a way that their research contributes to communities living healthier and more sustainable lives. By incorporating this approach in science education courses, the opportunity arises to promote personal growth and social responsibility through science learning. While developing their knowledge and skills pertaining to science education, they are able to reflect on their roles as educators in a broader community and in particular their roles of agents of change in that community.
Integral-map Based Fast and Robust Screening Method for Endoscope image

Texture-based analysis and classification is of vital importance to the early det ection of colorectal cancer precursors: flat lesion. However, the traditional way of its computation is very time consuming, which limits the application of using automated CAD (computer aided detection) algorithms in the clinical screening practices, whose one of the major concerns is high detection speed. Therefore in this paper, we present a fast yet robust algorithm for texture classification using discriminative learning models. By adopting the idea of integral-map, the feature extraction and description stages can be dramatically accelerated, thus efficient detection and screening of flat lesions in endoscope images can be ensured. Experimental results show the effectiveness and stability of our approach.
A Multi-Gas Approach to Climate Policy - with and Without Gwps

When dealing with multiple greenhouse gases, we need some way to establish equivalence among gases. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has suggested the use of global warming potentials (GWPs) for making such trade-offs. We begin by examining the implications of such an approach for mitigation policy. We then discuss several significant limitations of GWPs. These include their failure to reflect damages, their sensitivity to the choice of time horizon, and their insensitivity to both the choice of and proximity to a prescribed target. We then explore an alternative approach where the relative price of each gas is an endogenous output rather than an exogenous input into the analysis. Our findings yield some important insights for those concerned with climate change policy making, particularly with regard to the role of each gas in accomplishing a long-term objective.
Peripheral Levels of Fibrinogen, C-Reactive Protein, and Plasma Viscosity Predict Future Cognitive Decline in Individuals Without Dementia

Objective: To determine whether circulating levels of the biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, and hematocrit were associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged to elderly people. Methods: Subjects consisted of 2312 men and women aged 50 to 80 years participating in the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis Trial, all of whom were free of symptomatic cardiovascular disease at baseline. Biomarker levels and cognitive ability were measured at baseline with cognition assessed in all subjects using the Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale and in a subgroup of 504 persons using tests of memory, nonverbal reasoning, information processing speed, executive function, and mental flexibility. After 5 years, the five-test battery was administered to all participants and scores were used to derive a general cognitive ability factor. Results: Baseline CRP and fibrinogen levels were associated negatively with age and sex-adjusted follow-up scores on the majority of the cognitive tests, and the general cognitive ability factor (correlations = −0.054 to 0.105, p < .05). In analyses adjusting for baseline cognitive scores, asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease, and cardiovascular risk factors, both markers predicted decline in several cognitive domains (excluding memory). Baseline plasma viscosity, but not hematocrit, was associated negatively with follow-up test scores for general cognitive ability, information processing speed, and mental flexibility (correlations = −0.050 to −0.098, p < .05) and with decline across the same domains (p < .05). Conclusions: Increased circulating levels of CRP, fibrinogen, and elevated plasma viscosity predicted poorer subsequent cognitive ability and were associated with age-related cognitive decline in several domains, including general ability. CRP = C-reactive protein; AAA = Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis; ABI = ankle-brachial index; AVLT = Auditory Verbal Learning Test; RAVENS = Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices; DST = Digit Symbol Test; VFT = Verbal Fluency Test; TMT = Trail Making Test, Part B; MHVS = Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale; CVD = cardiovascular disease; BP = blood pressure; fib = fibrinogen.
Breastfeeding reduces postpartum weight retention.

BACKGROUND Weight gained during pregnancy and not lost postpartum may contribute to obesity in women of childbearing age. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine whether breastfeeding reduces postpartum weight retention (PPWR) in a population among which full breastfeeding is common and breastfeeding duration is long. DESIGN We selected women from the Danish National Birth Cohort who ever breastfed (>98%), and we conducted the interviews at 6 (n = 36 030) and 18 (n = 26 846) mo postpartum. We used regression analyses to investigate whether breastfeeding (scored to account for duration and intensity) reduced PPWR at 6 and 18 mo after adjustment for maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG). RESULTS GWG was positively (P < 0.0001) associated with PPWR at both 6 and 18 mo postpartum. Breastfeeding was negatively associated with PPWR in all women but those in the heaviest category of prepregnancy BMI at 6 (P < 0.0001) and 18 (P < 0.05) mo postpartum. When modeled together with adjustment for possible confounding, these associations were marginally attenuated. We calculated that, if women exclusively breastfed for 6 mo as recommended, PPWR could be eliminated by that time in women with GWG values of approximately 12 kg, and that the possibility of major weight gain (>or=5 kg) could be reduced in all but the heaviest women. CONCLUSION Breastfeeding was associated with lower PPWR in all categories of prepregnancy BMI. These results suggest that, when combined with GWG values of approximately 12 kg, breastfeeding as recommended could eliminate weight retention by 6 mo postpartum in many women.
THE KARYOPYKNOTIC INDEX OF AMNIOTIC FLUID CELLS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO OESTROGEN CONCENTRATION

Estimations of karyopyknotic index and amniotic fluid oestrogen concentration were made on 107 specimens of amniotic fluid obtained between the 25th and 42nd weeks of pregnancy. The karyopyknotic index was shown to fall with advancing gestation as the amniotic fluid oestrogen concentration increased. The negative correlation between karyopyknotic index and amniotic fluid oestrogen concentration was highly significant when the fetus was female but was not significant when the fetus was male. Intermediate cells from the genital tract of the female fetus can account for the cytological difference between amniotic fluid from male and female fetuses. The fall in amniotic fluid karyopyknotic index when the fetus is female is comparable with the fall in maternal vaginal karyopyknotic index towards term which suggests that the fetal vagina responds in the same way as the maternal vaginal epithelium to the circulating hormones and not to the oeslrogens in the amniotic fluid.
FPGA–Based Efficient Hardware/Software Co–Design for Industrial Systems with Consideration of Output Selection

Abstract This work presents a field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based embedded software platform coupled with a software-based plant, forming a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) that is used to validate a systematic sensor selection framework. The systematic sensor selection framework combines multi-objective optimization, linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG)-type control, and the nonlinear model of a maglev suspension. A robustness analysis of the closed-loop is followed (prior to implementation) supporting the appropriateness of the solution under parametric variation. The analysis also shows that quantization is robust under different controller gains. While the LQG controller is implemented on an FPGA, the physical process is realized in a high-level system modeling environment. FPGA technology enables rapid evaluation of the algorithms and test designs under realistic scenarios avoiding heavy time penalty associated with hardware description language (HDL) simulators. The HIL technique facilitates significant speed-up in the required execution time when compared to its software-based counterpart model.
The evolution of skeletal muscle performance: gene duplication and divergence of human sarcomeric α‐actinins

In humans, there are two skeletal muscle α‐actinins, encoded by ACTN2 and ACTN3, and the ACTN3 genotype is associated with human athletic performance. Remarkably, approximately 1 billion people worldwide are deficient in α‐actinin‐3 due to the common ACTN3 R577X polymorphism. The α‐actinins are an ancient family of actin‐binding proteins with structural, signalling and metabolic functions. The skeletal muscle α‐actinins diverged ∼250–300 million years ago, and ACTN3 has since developed restricted expression in fast muscle fibres. Despite ACTN2 and ACTN3 retaining considerable sequence similarity, it is likely that following duplication there was a divergence in function explaining why α‐actinin‐2 cannot completely compensate for the absence of α‐actinin‐3. This paper focuses on the role of skeletal muscle α‐actinins, and how possible changes in functions between these duplicates fit in the context of gene duplication paradigms.
Design and development of a new 193-nanometer excimer laser surgical system.

BACKGROUND The 193-nanometer excimer laser is used for photoablative reprofiling of the cornea to correct refraction errors and to treat corneal pathologies. To use the unique properties of the excimer laser, some technical features should be provided by the excimer laser system. A new excimer laser system is presented. METHODS The instrument has a fluence sensor for precise measurement of the actual fluence just before surgery, a new delivery system including an integrator system to homogenize the laser beam, a steelband with apertures and a zoom optic to get the desired form of central reprofiling, and an alignment system to reduce the possibility to decenter the optical zone. RESULTS The fluence before surgery can be measured very precisely with the fluence sensor. The ablation zone size is at least 8 mm in diameter with a homogenous laser beam profile resulting in a smooth surface of the treated material. Different forms of ablations can be created using the steelband with different forms of apertures. The center of the ablation zone can be found using the alignment system. CONCLUSION The new excimer laser system fulfills some important technical features for optimal use of the excimer laser in corneal surgery.
Intervertebral Disc Injury Complicating Cervical Spine Trauma

The incidence of acute herniated nucleus pulposus was determined in 55 patients with cervical spine trauma. A standardized protocol and a 1.5-T magnetic resonance image scanner was used to document a 42% incidence of acute herniated nucleus pulposus in patients studied within 72 hours of injury. The incidence of herniated nucleus pulposus was correlated with the patients' presenting neurologic status and mechanism of injury. The incidence of herniated nucleus pulposus was highest in patients with bilateral facet dislocations (80%) and anterior cord syndromes (100%). There was no statistically significant correlation between the incidence of herniated nucleus pulposus and patients' age or sex.
Outcome of patients with ovarian metastatic tumors. Report of 83 cases and review.

UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to review patients with metastatic ovarian tumors in relation to their outcome and clinical characteristics. METHODS It was a retrospective study including 83 patients with histopathological diagnosis of metastatic ovarian tumor. The examined parameters include age of the patients, origin of the tumor, consistency and appearance of the tumor, histological type and 5-year survival. RESULTS The 5-year survival time of patients with metastatic ovarian tumors originating from the genital tract was 14.8% and for metastatic ovarian tumors originating outside the genital tract 5.4%. CONCLUSION The presence of metastatic ovarian tumors should always be included in the differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass. Difficulties in identification of the primary tumor site are present mainly in cases of metastatic tumors from the colon, while metastasis to the ovary from the breast tends to form small nodules in the ovary.
A Circular Cantor Fractal Based Printed Slot Antenna for Triple and Dual-band Wireless Applications

Fractal based structure are found attractive for antenna designers to produce a compact size and multi-band antenna because of their unique properties; space-filling and self-similarity. In this paper, a new printed fractal based slot antenna is presented. The slot structure of the proposed antenna is extracted by applying Cantor fractal geometry to a circular shape as an initiator. The Cantor based slot structure has to be etched on the ground plane of a substrate with relative permittivity of 4.4 and 1.6 mm thickness. A 50 ohm microstrip feed line has been etched on the other side of the substrate. Modeling and performance evaluation of the proposed antenna have been carried out using the commercially available EM simulator HFSS, from Ansoft corporation. A parametric study carried out to explore the effects of feed line length on the antenna performance show that is possesses a triple band behavior with reasonable radiation characteristics. Simulation results show that the variation of the antenna aspect ratio results in return loss responses with tri-band behavior covering a wide variety of wireless communication applications below 6 GHz. Furthermore, it has been found that, the modification of the antenna slot structure results in return loss responses with dual-band resonances. The proposed antenna provides the antenna designer with a high degree of freedom.
Capgras' Syndrome in Dementia with Lewy Bodies

We report the occurrence of Capgras' syndrome, or the delusion of doubles, in a patient with dementia with Lewy bodies. The patient believed that several similar-looking impostors had replaced his wife of over 50 years. Uncharacteristically, he adopted a friendly attitude with these impostors. This unusual convivial reaction to the impostors may result from differential involvement of the dual visual pathways processing facial recognition and emotional responses to faces. The delusion resolved spontaneously, coincident with worsening of the dementia. In a retrospective chart review of 18 autopsy-confirmed cases of dementia with Lewy bodies, delusions were reported in 5 subjects (27.8%), of whom 1 had misidentification delusions much like Capgras' syndrome. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2002; 15:000–000).
A 1mV voltage ripple 0.97mm2 fully integrated low-power hybrid buck converter

The output voltage ripple is one of the most significant system parameters in switch-mode power supplies. This ripple degrades the performance of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The most common way to reduce it is to use additional integrated low drop-out regulators (LDO) on the ASIC. This technique usually suffers from high system efficiency as it is required for portable electronic systems. It also increases the design challenges of on-chip power management circuits and area required for the LDOs. This work presents a low-power fully integrated 0.97mm2 DC-DC Buck converter with a tuned series LDO with 1mV voltage ripple in a 0. 25μm BiCMOS process. The converter prodives a power supply rejection ratio of more than 60 dB from 1 to 6MHz and a load current range of 0.400 mA. A peak efficiency of 93.7% has been measured. For high light load efficiency, automatic mode operation is implemented. To decrease the form factor and costs, the external components count has been reduced to a single inductor of 1 μH and two external capacitors of 2 μF each.
Are more sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor agonists a better therapeutic option against multiple sclerosis?

Fingolimod is a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist; it was the first oral disease-modifying agent approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Two double-blind randomised clinical trials (TRANSFORMS and FREEDOMS studies) have shown that in comparison with interferon β-1a or placebo, fingolimod is superior in improving clinical and MRI outcomes in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.1 ,2 The FREEDOMS study demonstrated that 0.5-mg fingolimod reduced the annualised relapse rate of RRMS by 55% relative to placebo. On this basis, fingolimod was approved for RRMS treatment in the USA, EU and other countries. To date, more than 77 000 patients have been treated with fingolimod. In spite of its effectiveness and oral-availability, fingolimod is usually considered as second-line treatment, because it may cause some serious adverse events, particularly cardiovascular related. The European Medicines Agency reported an MS patient who died within 24 h of administration of the first dose of fingolimod. Furthermore, the agency reported …