Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iridescent structural colour production in male blue-black grassquit feather barbules: the role of keratin and melanin

Iridescent coloration plays an important role in the visual communication system of many animal taxa. It is known that iridescent structural colours result from layers of materials with different refractive indexes, which in feathers usually are keratin, melanin and air. However, the role of these materials in the production of structural iridescent coloration is still poorly documented. Despite the great interspecific variation in the organization of such structures in bird plumage, melanin layers are usually considered too opaque, suggesting its main role is to delineate the outermost keratin layer and absorb incoherently scattered stray light. We combined spectrometry, electron microscopy and thin-film optical modelling to describe the UV-reflecting iridescent colour of feather barbules of male blue-black grassquits (Volatinia jacarina), characterized by a keratin layer overlying a single melanin layer. Our models indicate that both the keratin and the melanin layers are essential for production of the observed colour, influencing the coherent scattering of light. The melanin layer in some barbules may be thin enough to allow interaction with the underlying keratin; however, individuals usually have, on an average, the minimum number of granules that optimizes absorbance by this layer. Also, we show that altering optical properties of the materials resulted in better-fitting models relative to the empirically measured spectra. These results add to previous findings concerning the influence of melanin in single-layer iridescence, and stress the importance of considering natural variation when characterizing such photonic structures.
Impact of Ge Content and Recess Depth on the Leakage Current in Strained $\hbox{Si}_{1-x}\hbox{Ge}_{x}/\hbox{Si}$ Heterojunctions

A study of the impact of the Ge content and the recess depth on the leakage current of strained Si1-xGex/Si p+n heterojunctions is presented. A rise in the current, when the Ge content increases and/or the recess depth decreases, is experimentally observed. An analysis of the physical variables involved in the leakage current at low electric fields is carried out. The Shockley-Read-Hall lifetime is identified as the variable that affects the leakage current the most. Changes in the lifetimes are correlated to changes in the Ge content and the recess depth (Si1-xGex thickness) by means of modifications of the stress levels. An expression that directly relates the values of the lifetimes with the germanium content is proposed.
Masterarbeit Investigation of Volume Rendering Performance through Active Learning and Visual Analysis

Volume visualization has many real world applications such as medical imaging and scientific research. Rendering volumes can be done directly by shooting rays from the camera through the volume data, or indirectly by extracting features such as iso-surfaces. Knowing the runtime performance of visualization techniques enables for optimized infrastructure planning, trained models could also be reused for interactive quality adaption. Prediction models can make use of information about renderer and datasets to determine execution times before rendering. In this thesis, we present a model based on neural networks to predict rendering times, by using volume properties and rendering configuration. Moreover, our model actively intervenes the sampling process to improve learning while decreasing the amount of necessary measurements. For this, it estimates how likely a drawn sample will improve future predictions. Our model consists of multiple submodels, using their disagreement about certain samples as criteria for possible improvement. We evaluate our model, using different sampling strategies, loss functions and volume rendering techniques. This includes predictions based on measurement data of a volume raycaster, as well as a continuous setup with interleaved execution and prediction of an indirect volume renderer. Our indirect renderer utilizes marching cubes to extract iso-surfaces as triangle mesh from a density field and organizes them in an octree. This way, highly parallel sorting on the graphics card is enabled that is necessary for rendering transparent surfaces in correct order.
Design and control of a single-chip SOI-MEMS atomic force microscope

This paper presents a novel microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) implementation of an on-chip atomic force microscope (AFM), fabricated using a silicon-on-insulator process. The device features an XY scanner with electrostatic actuators and electrothermal sensors, as well as an integrated silicon microcantilever. A single AlN piezoelectric electrode is used for simultaneous actuation and deflection sensing of the cantilever via a charge sensing technique. With the device being operated in closed loop, the probe scanner is successfully used to obtain 8µm×8µm tapping-mode AFM images of a calibration grating.
Not just for errors: Codes for fast and secure flash storage

Error-correcting codes are normally employed in storage devices to guarantee the integrity of data in the presence of errors. This paper presents two schemes where error-correcting codes are used for entirely different purposes. In the first part of the paper, a new coding paradigm is proposed to improve the write performance of multi-level flash devices. By slightly relaxing the accuracy of cell programming, significant speed-up can be achieved. The resulting write inaccuracies are then corrected by codes that are tailored for the appropriately restricted error model. In the second part, new low-complexity codes are proposed to protect the security of sensitive data in the presence of imperfect physical erasure processes. Codes that have optimal encoding and decoding complexities are constructed to allow fast storing and retrieval of secret data, and guarantee unconditional security of data against an adversary with access to parts of the secret that failed to erase.
Do neighbourhoods matter? Neighbourhood disorder and long-term trends in serum cortisol levels

Background Characteristics associated with low socioeconomic status neighbourhoods may put children at risk for unique chronic stressors that affect cortisol levels. This research sought to explore whether neighbourhood stressor exposure affected serum cortisol levels among children. Methods A total of 148 African and European-American children with an average age of 8.28 years participated in a longitudinal study evaluating ethnic differences in body composition and disease risk. Five waves of data were included in analyses. Mixed modelling was used to explore neighbourhood stressors, which was a composite index of five items for zip code level poverty and physical disorder, and serum cortisol outcomes for the full sample, by race/ethnicity and gender. Adjustments were made for individual level correlates age, pubertal status, gender and total fat mass. Results Neighborhood disorder was predictive of lower serum cortisol levels among African-American children (p<0.05), such that higher neighbourhood stressor exposure resulted in lower serum cortisol over time compared with individuals in socially ordered neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood disorder was marginally significant and predictive of higher serum cortisol among European-American children (p<0.10). Transition to a higher pubertal status, nested in age was also predictive of lower serum cortisol levels (p<0.01) among European-American children. Conclusion Children who are exposed to negative socioenvironmental climates over time are more likely to have altered serum cortisol levels. This may be an adaptive mechanism to cope with stress; however, disrupted cortisol levels may have negative effects on general physical and mental health.
Probabilistic estimation of power system interruption impact using time element matrices

Power system interruptions have financial impacts for the utility, the customer and the community. A consistent approach to financial impact assessment for both planning and operations starts with fault data. Faults can be categorized and correlated with season and time of day in a time-element matrix. Statistical data can be modeled with Beta probability density functions. The paper shows how the failure probability is used to perform a time-dependent probabilistic analysis of system reliability that is both accurate and converges more quickly than conventional simulation methods. The approach can be applied to system operations in six-hour windows. Customer interruption costs (CIC), derived from surveys using clustering techniques to reduce sample sizes, characterize the reliability as a probabilistic $@risk value. The paper shows how to use this information to derive the risk-dependent financial impact of possible interruptions as an improvement on conventional contingency analysis.
New-onset hypertension and inflammatory response/poor outcome in acute ischemic stroke

Objective: To study the association of previously unknown high blood pressure (HBP) during the acute phase of stroke (new-onset hypertension) with the inflammatory response and clinical outcome. Methods: We classified 844 patients with hemispheric ischemic stroke into three groups according to history of hypertension and presence of HBP within the first 24 hours after symptom onset: Group I (n = 412), normotensive patients; Group II (n = 265), chronic hypertensive patients; and Group III (n = 167), new-onset hypertensive patients. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were measured in blood samples obtained on admission. The influence of new-onset HBP and markers of inflammation on poor neurologic outcome at 3 months was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results: New-onset HBP was found in 19.9% of patients. Patients in this group had higher plasma concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MMP-9 than the other two groups. New-onset HBP was associated with poor outcome at 3 months (odds ratio [OR] 2.10; 95% CI 1.54 to 3.52; p < 0.0001) after adjustment for other prognostic factors. However, when markers of inflammation were included in the model, IL-6 (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03; p = 0.020) and MMP-9 (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01; p < 0.0001), but not new-onset HBP, were independently associated with poor neurologic outcome. Conclusions: New-onset high blood pressure in acute ischemic stroke, but not chronic hypertension, is associated with an inflammatory response and poor neurologic outcome.
Transforming the Morbidity and Mortality Conference to Promote Safety and Quality in a PICU*

Objective: Determine the effectiveness of a structured systems-oriented morbidity and mortality conference in improving the process of reviewing and responding to adverse events in a PICU. Design: Prospective time series analysis before and after implementation of a systems-oriented morbidity and mortality conference. Setting: Single tertiary referral PICU in Baltimore, MD. Patients: Thirty-three patients discussed before and 31 patients after implementation of a systems-oriented morbidity and mortality conference over a total of 20 morbidity and mortality conferences, from April 2013 to March 2014. Interventions: Systems-oriented morbidity and mortality conference incorporating elements of medical incident analysis. Measurements and Main Results: There was a significant increase in meeting attendance (mean, 12 vs 31 attendees per morbidity and mortality conference; p < 0.001) after the systems-oriented morbidity and mortality conference was instituted. There was no significant difference in the mean number of cases suggested (4.2 vs 4.6) or discussed (3.3 vs 3.1) per morbidity and mortality conference. There was also no significant difference in the mean number of adverse events identified per morbidity and mortality conference (3.4 vs 4.3). However, there was an increase in the proportion of cases discussed using a standard case review tool, but this did not reach statistical significance (27% vs 45%; p = 0.231). Nevertheless, we observed a significant increase in the mean number of quality improvement interventions suggested (2.4 vs 5.6; p < 0.001) and implemented (1.7 vs 4.4; p < 0.001) per morbidity and mortality conference. All adverse event categories identified had corresponding interventions suggested after the systems-oriented morbidity and mortality conference was instituted compared with before (80% vs 100%). Intervention-to-adverse event ratios per category were also higher (mean, 0.6 vs 1.5). Conclusions: A structured systems-oriented PICU morbidity and mortality conference incorporating elements of medical incident analysis improves the process of reviewing and responding to adverse events by significantly increasing quality improvement interventions suggested and implemented. Future work would involve testing locally adapted versions of the systems-oriented morbidity and mortality conference in multiple inpatient settings.
Distribution of neurotrophin‐3 during the ontogeny and regeneration of the lizard (Gallotia galloti) visual system

We have previously described the spontaneous regeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons after optic nerve (ON) transection in the adult Gallotia galloti. As neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) is involved in neuronal differentiation, survival and synaptic plasticity, we performed a comparative immunohistochemical study of NT‐3 during the ontogeny and regeneration (after 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postlesion) of the lizard visual system to reveal its distribution and changes during these events. For characterization of NT‐3+ cells, we performed double labelings using the neuronal markers HuC‐D, Pax6 and parvalbumin (Parv), the microglial marker tomato lectin or Lycopersicon esculentum agglutinin (LEA), and the astroglial markers vimentin (Vim) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Subpopulations of retinal and tectal neurons were NT‐3+ from early embryonic stages to adulthood. Nerve fibers within the retinal nerve fiber layer, both plexiform layers and the retinorecipient layers in the optic tectum (OT) were also stained. In addition, NT‐3+/GFAP+ and NT‐3+/Vim+ astrocytes were detected in the ON, chiasm and optic tract in postnatal and adult lizards. At 1 month postlesion, abundant NT‐3+/GFAP+ astrocytes and NT‐3−/LEA+ microglia/macrophages were stained in the lesioned ON, whereas NT‐3 became downregulated in the experimental retina and OT. Interestingly, at 9 and 12 months postlesion, the staining in the experimental retina resembled that in control animals, whereas bundles of putative regrown fibers showed a disorganized staining pattern in the OT. Altogether, we demonstrate that NT‐3 is widely distributed in the lizard visual system and its changes after ON transection might be permissive for the successful axonal regrowth. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008
Impact des comportements alimentaires sur la santé bucco-dentaire : une analyse de la littérature

Objectif : l’objectif principal de cette etude est de mesurer l’impact de l’alimentation et du grignotage sur l’apparition des lesions carieuses et de l’erosion dentaire a l’aide d’une analyse critique de la litterature. Methode : La recherche documentaire s’est faite de maniere electronique a l’aide du site Pubmed ainsi que de la Cochrane Library. Deux equations de recherche distinctes ont ete utilisees. Les criteres d’inclusion et d’exclusion, ainsi que l’utilisation d’une grille de lecture ont permis in fine de selectionner 12 articles pour la partie carie, et 14 articles pour la partie erosion. Resultats : sur les 12 etudes selectionnees sur la carie, 5 demontrent une relation significative avec la consommation de soda et 3 etudes associent la consommation de snacks aux caries. L’importance du brossage et l’effet protecteur des produits laitiers sont egalement mis en evidence. Concernant l’erosion, 8 etudes sur les 14 selectionnees montrent que les dents les plus souvent touchees par l’erosion sont globalement les incisives maxillaires et les premieres molaires maxillaires. Neuf etudes trouvent une association significative avec le soda. Enfin, la consommation d’agrumes, de jus de fruits et de bonbons acides est pointee du doigt. L’effet protecteur du lait est a nouveau mis en evidence. Conclusion : Les schemas alimentaires actuels sont responsables de pathologies tant au plan general qu’au plan bucco-dentaire. L’un des objectifs essentiels du metier de chirurgien-dentiste reste donc la prevention, que ce soit en matiere d’hygiene bucco-dentaire ou de dietetique.
Gabapentin and Venlafaxine for the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of gabapentin and venlafaxine in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy in patients whose pain did not improve with gabapentin monotherapy. Methods (1) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week clinical trial comparing gabapentin versus placebo to define a patient population whose pain did not improve with monotherapy; (2) a second 8-week trial comparing gabapentin plus venlafaxine with gabapentin plus placebo; (3) a third uncontrolled 8-week trial of patients who did not improve on gabapentin monotherapy and then received venlafaxine in addition to gabapentin. Results (1) Gabapentin-treated patients showed statistically significant improvement in pain reduction as well as improvement in quality of life and mood disturbance when compared with placebo-treated patients; (2) patients who received gabapentin plus venlafaxine showed significant improvement in pain reduction, mood disturbance, and quality of life when compared with patients treated with gabapentin plus placebo; (3) patients who received gabapentin plus venlafaxine showed significant improvement in pain reduction, mood disturbance, and quality of life. Conclusions (1) Gabapentin is efficacious in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy; (2) and (3) in patients who do not respond to gabapentin monotherapy, the addition of venlafaxine is also efficacious.
Prenatal diagnosis and management of a massive fetal ovarian hemorrhagic cyst torsion with secondary fetal anemia

We report the case of one of the largest prenatally detected fetal hemorrhagic cyst with ovarian torsion and fetal anemia leading to subsequent cesarean section delivery and further unilateral oophorectomy of the neonate. Usually, fetal ovarian cysts tend to resolve spontaneously within the first months after birth. There is no need of surgical treatment for such simple cysts. Routine sonographic examinations are obligatory, because in some cases complications such as massive hemorrhage, cyst rupture, or ovarian torsion with following infarction can occur. With the occurrence of these complex cyst signs by sonographic investigation, subsequent intervention should be considered by an interdisciplinary team. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:219–222, 2014
Morphological and cytogenetic analysis of intact oocytes and blocked zygotes

We examined cytological and cytogenetic parameters of 1076 oocytes and 385 zygotes that failed to develop post in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Out of 1076 oocytes, 894 (83%) arrested oocytes showed a first polar body and were thus assumed arrested at metaphase II while the remainder showed no polar body. In the group of oocytes with a polar body, 20.5% had an abnormal karyotype. Cytologically, premature sperm chromosome condensation was noted in 28.3% of uncleaved oocytes. This high PCC can be explained by the different grades of oocyte maturity from one center to another. Oocytes from older women showed no increased aneuploidy but did show increased premature chromosome condensation.
Free Trade Agreements and Sectoral Adjustments in East Asia

Although East Asian countries were relatively inactive in signing free trade agreements (FTAs) until the end of 1990s, a number of FTAs involving East Asian countries have been signed since the turn of the century. Because sectoral interests can exert significant influence on policy negotiations, the sectoral results would be most important for political economy considerations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the sectoral adjustments resulting from various FTA scenarios in East Asia using a dynamic global CGE model. Among other issues, the indices of revealed comparative advantage (RCA) are computed and RCA rankings of commodities with various FTA scenarios and those with the global trade liberalization scenario are correlated to examine how “natural” the groupings would be. JEL classification codes: F13, F15
Lewy body variant of Alzheimer’s disease or cerebral type Lewy body disease? Two autopsy cases of presenile onset with minimal involvement of the brainstem

Lewy bodies (LB) usually extend from the brainstem to the cerebrum in patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, whether the patterns of progression of LB and neuronal loss in Parkinson’s disease are identical to those in other Lewy body diseases (LBD) remains unclear. In addition, pathological data on the autonomic nervous system involvement in LBD are limited. We present here the clinicopathological characteristics of two autopsy cases with both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), possibly diagnosed as having Lewy body variant of Alzheimer’s disease (LBV/AD). Our patients presented clinically with dementia without parkinsonism. Histopathologically, phosphorylated α‐synuclein‐positive LB and Lewy neurites were abundant in the limbic system, especially in the amygdala, and to a lesser degree, in the neocortex, including the primary motor cortex. The amygdala was also most severely affected by neuronal loss, and the other limbic areas and neocortex were affected to a lesser degree. Despite the existence of a small number of LB and many Lewy neurites, neurons in the brainstem nuclei were relatively well preserved. The Braak stages of concurrent neurofibrillary changes and senile plaques were stage V and C, respectively, in both cases. Tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive nerve fibers were relatively well spared in one case examined compared with Parkinson’s disease cases. Furthermore, many Lewy neurites immunopositive for phosphorylated α‐synuclein were found in the nerve fascicles of the epicardium in one case examined and in Parkinson’s disease cases to a lesser degree. These findings suggest that: (i) in at least some LBV/AD cases, the amygdala develops neuronal loss and Lewy‐related pathology prior to the brainstem nuclei; and (ii) the depletion of nerves in the heart tissue of LBV/AD is not necessarily complete despite the development of Lewy‐related pathology.
Analysis of period mRNA cycling in Drosophila head and body tissues indicates that body oscillators behave differently from head oscillators

The period (per) gene is thought to be part of the Drosophila circadian pacemaker. The circadian fluctuations in per RNA and protein that constitute the per feedback loop appear to be required for pacemaker function, and have been measured in head neuronal tissues that are necessary for locomotor activity and eclosion rhythms. The per gene is also expressed in a number of neuronal and nonneuronal body tissues for which no known circadian phenomena have been described. To determine whether per might affect some circadian function in these body tissues, per RNA cycling was examined. These studies show that per RNA cycles in the same phase and amplitude in head and body tissues during light-dark cycles. One exception to this is the lack of per RNA cycling in the ovary, which also appears to be the only tissue in which PER protein is primarily cytoplasmic. In constant darkness, however, the amplitude of per RNA cycling dampens much more quickly in bodies than in heads. Taken together, these results indicate that circadian oscillators are present in head and body tissues in which PER protein is nuclear and that these oscillators behave differently.