Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of femtosecond laser irradiation on fused silica

Femtosecond laser irradiation has various noticeable effects on fused silica. It can locally increase the index of refraction and modify the material chemical selectivity. Regions that have been exposed to the laser are etched hundred fold faster than unexposed regions. These effects are of practical importance from an application point-of-view and open new opportunities for the development of integrated photonics devices that combine structural and optical functions. Various observations reported in the literature indicate that those effects are potentially related to a combination of both structural changes and the presence of internal stress. In this paper, we present further investigations on the effect of femtosecond laser irradiation on fused silica substrate (a-SiO2). In particular, we use nanoindentation and holography-based birefringence measurements, coupled with direct SEM observations on chemically etched specimens to characterize the effect of various laser parameters such as power, scanning speed and irradiation pattern. We show evidence of an interface between two different etching regimes that may be related to the presence of two different material phases induced by the laser irradiation.
left-4MW Class High Power Density Generator for Future Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

— This paper describes the underpinning research, development, construction and testing of a 4MW multi-three phase generator designed for a hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion system demonstrator. The aim of the work is to demonstrate gravimetric power densities around 20 kW/kg, as required for multi-MW aircraft propulsion systems. The key design choices, development procedures and trade-offs, together with the experimental testing of this electrical machine connected to an active rectifier are presented. A time-efficient analytical approach to the down-selection of various machine configurations, geometrical variables, different active and passive materials and different thermal management options is first presented. A detailed design approach based on 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is then presented for the final design. Reduced power tests are carried out on a full scale 4 MW machine prototype, validating the proposed design. The experimental results are in good agreement with simulation and show significant progress in the field of high power density electrical machines at the targeted power rating.
PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 as a model object for light scattering experiments

Abstract A classical relaxor material, PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 (PMN), has a long history of investigations by Raman and Brillouin spectroscopies. Earlier results on Raman scattering have emphasized a predominant role of disorder and, on the whole, confirmed a model of compositional fluctuations, first suggested by Smolensky and his colleagues. The extensive microstructural studies of PMN in recent years require re-consideration of many conclusions. In the present paper, we initiated analysis of rather complex Raman scattering in order to reach a definite agreement with the recent direct microstructural studies. Different unambiguous features were analyzed in light of polarization measurements, a breakdown in the Raman selection rules, assignment of modes consistent with the Fm3m space group, the mode behavior for some ion substitutions, the key role of the high temperature transformation of the spectra in explaining the origin of Raman active modes, and some other aspects. The behavior of optical phonons is predom.
Clinical significance of prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and diagnosed diabetes on critical outcomes in COVID‐19: Integrative analysis from the Japan COVID‐19 task force

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), but the clinical impact of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes in COVID‐19 are unclear particularly in Japan. We clarify the difference in clinical characteristics, including age, sex, body mass index and co‐morbidities, laboratory findings and critical outcomes, in a large Japanese COVID‐19 cohort without diabetes, with prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and diagnosed diabetes, and to identify associated risk factors.
A rapid and simple chitinase assay to screen tea genotypes for resistance against blister blight

Plant naturally responds to fungal attack by a complex network of defense mechanisms. Among these, production of pathogenesis related (PR) proteins is an important mode of resistance against pathogen invasion. Chitinase is one such PR protein and a potent biomarker for the identification of promising resistant germplasm. In this study, Gram’s iodine based detection assay for chitinase production in tea cultivars has been attempted to screen and validate the data available on the resistance level of the cultivars against blister blight disease. Small wells in the glycol-chitin-agarose/agar plates were loaded with enzyme extract and flooded with Gram’s iodine after 24h. The glycol-chitin formed a bluish complex with iodine, whereas the areas around the wells showed a sharp and distinct clearance zone, against the blue background. The diameter of the zone increased with increased amount of chitinase present in the sample. These observations were validated with field data on blister blight disease incidence in these cultivars and discussed. The new approach is an easy, reproducible, cost effective, user and environmental friendly qualitative method for rapid screening of the tea cultivars in breeding program.
Adverse Effects of Excessive Zinc Intake in Infants and Children Aged 0–3 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT Zinc supplementation reduces morbidity, but evidence suggests that excessive intakes can have negative health consequences. Current guidelines of upper limits (ULs) of zinc intake for young children are extrapolated from adult data. This systematic review (PROSPERO; registration no. CRD42020215187) aimed to determine the levels of zinc intake at which adverse effects are observed in young children. Studies reporting potential adverse effects of zinc intake in children aged 0–3 y were identified (from inception to August 2020) in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, with no limits on study design. Adverse clinical and physical effects of zinc intake were synthesized narratively, and meta-analyses of biochemical outcomes were conducted. Random effects models were used to generate forest plots to examine the evidence by age category, dose, dose duration, chemical formula of zinc, and zinc compared with placebo. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist, Cochrane Risk of Bias 2, and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) guideline were employed to assess risk of bias and to appraise the certainty of evidence. Fifty-eight studies assessed possible adverse effects of zinc doses ranging from 3 to 70 mg/d. Data from 39 studies contributed to meta-analyses. Zinc supplementation had an adverse effect on serum ferritin, plasma/serum copper concentration, serum transferrin receptor, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and the odds of anemia in ≥1 of the subgroups investigated. Lactulose:mannitol ratio was improved with zinc supplementation, and no significant effect was observed on C-reactive protein, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, zinc protoporphyrin, blood cholesterol, and iron deficiency anemia. The certainty of the evidence, as assessed using GRADE, was very low to moderate. Although possible adverse effects of zinc supplementation were observed in some subgroups, it is unclear whether these findings are clinically important. The synthesized data can be used to undertake a dose–response analysis to update current guidelines of ULs of zinc intake for young children.
Creatine metabolism at the uterine–conceptus interface during early gestation in sheep

Abstract Ruminant conceptuses that elongate and attach to the uterine luminal epithelium (LE) to establish pregnancy require a large amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The creatine (Cr)–creatine kinase (CK)–phosphocreatine (PCr) system re-generates ATP in dividing and migrating cells such as the conceptus trophectoderm cells. However, little is known about metabolism of Cr within uterine and conceptus tissues in livestock species during early gestation. In this study, Suffolk ewes were ovariohysterectomized on Days 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, or 21 of pregnancy (n = 2–5 animals/per day) to investigate metabolites, mRNAs, and proteins of the Cr–CK–PCr system at uterine–conceptus interface. Amounts of Cr and guanidinoacetate (GA) in uterine flushings increased between Days 12 and 17 of pregnancy. Endometrial expression of mRNAs for GA formation (AGAT), Cr synthesis (GAMT), and Cr/PCr utilization (CKB) was greater on Days 17 and 21 than on Days 9 and 12 of pregnancy. Immunoreactive AGAT was detected in uteri only on Day 21 but not in uteri or conceptuses at earlier days of pregnancy. GAMT, SLC6A8, and CKs were expressed in uterine luminal and glandular epithelia. Immunoreactive CKs (CKB, CKM, and CKMT1) appeared greater on Day 9 than Day 17 of pregnancy. Immunoreactive GAMT and CKs appeared greater in trophectoderm of conceptuses on Day 20 than on Day 15 of pregnancy, whereas the opposite was observed for that of SLC6A8. This study provides insights into cell-, tissue-, and time-specific metabolism of Cr at the uterine–conceptus interface suggesting a role for the Cr–CK–PCr system in ovine conceptus development and implantation. Summary Sentence Creatine is abundant in the histotroph, and the proteins required for synthesis and transport of creatine are expressed in uteri and conceptuses during early gestation in sheep indicating a role for creatine metabolism in conceptus development.
TSG‐6 inhibits hypertrophic scar fibroblast proliferation by regulating IRE1α/TRAF2/NF‐κB signalling

TNF‐stimulated gene (TSG‐6) was reported to suppress hypertrophic scar (HS) formation in a rabbit ear model, and the overexpression of TSG‐6 in human HS fibroblasts (HSFs) was found to induce their apoptotic death. The molecular basis for these findings, however, remains to be clarified. HSFs were subjected to TSG‐6 treatment. Treatment with TSG‐6 significantly suppressed HSF proliferation and induced them to undergo apoptosis. Moreover, TSG‐6 exposure led to reductions in collagen I, collagen III, and α‐SMA mRNA and protein levels, with a corresponding drop in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression indicative of impaired proliferative activity. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was also suppressed in these HSFs as demonstrated by decreases in Bip and p‐IRE1α expression, downstream inositol requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α) ‐Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2 (TRAF2) pathway signalling was inhibited and treated cells failed to induce NF‐κB, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 expression. Overall, ER stress was found to trigger inflammatory activity in HSFs via the IRE1α‐TRAF2 axis, as confirmed with the specific inhibitor of IRE1α STF083010. Additionally, the effects of TSG‐6 on apoptosis, collagen I, collagen III, α‐SMA, and PCNA of HSFs were reversed by the IRE1α activator thapsigargin (TG). These data suggest that TSG‐6 administration can effectively suppress the proliferation of HSFs in part via the inhibition of IRE1α‐mediated ER stress‐induced inflammation (IRE1α/TRAF2/NF‐κB signalling).
Characterization of Weak Collective Neural Coherence

Recently, much attention has been paid to brain rhythms [1,2]. Synchronous neural oscillations may be used for efficient sensory processing (e.g., visual binding) [3]. In addition, neural synchronization is also correlated with pathological rhythms associated with neural diseases (e.g., epileptic seizures and tremors in Parkinson’s disease) [4]. Here, we are interested in the characterization of these synchronized neural rhythms. Collective coherence in a neural population may be well described by the (population-averaged) collective potential VC . For a coherent case, an oscillating (macroscopic) collective potential VC emerges via cooperation of (microscopic) potentials of individual neurons. This collective neural coherence has been characterized mostly in terms of two coherence measures [5]. The first is a “thermodynamic” fluctuation-based coherence measure Mf . Neural coherence is directly related to fluctuations of the collective potential VC . In the thermodynamic limit (N → ∞), a collective state becomes coherent if an oscillating collective potential VC appears. Otherwise (i.e., when the collective potential VC is stationary), it becomes incoherent. Thus, the mean square deviation of the collective potential VC (i.e., time-averaged fluctuations of VC) plays the role of an order parameter to de-
The BF Identity-Based Encryption System

We briefly review the notion of cyclic group equipped with a bilinear map, or pairing. In this note, we focus exclusively on symmetric pairings that support a cryptographic hashing operation directly into the bilinear group (these pairings are also called of type 1). These objects can be instantiated using the modified Weil or Tate pairing on certain algebraic curves over finite fields, that include families of supersingular elliptic curves of large characteristic. We refer the reader to the Boneh-Franklin paper [BF03] and some specialized treatises [BSS99] for details.
A search for muon neutrino and antineutrino disappearance in the Booster Neutrino Beam

This dissertation presents a search for {mu}{sub {nu}} and {bar {mu}{sub {nu}}} disappearance with the MiniBooNE experiment in the {Delta}m{sup 2} region of a few eV{sup 2}. Disappearance measurements in this oscillation region constrain sterile neutrino models and CPT violation in the lepton sector. Fits to the shape of the {mu}{sub {nu}} and {bar {mu}{sub {nu}}} energy spectra reveal no evidence for disappearance in either mode. This is the first test of {bar {mu}{sub {nu}}} disappearance between {Delta}m{sup 2} = 0:1 -- 10 eV2. In addition, prospects for performing a joint analysis using the SciBooNE detector in conjunction with MiniBooNE are discussed.
Nanofluidic Trapping of Faceted Colloidal Nanocrystals for Parallel Single-Particle Catalysis

Catalyst activity can depend distinctly on nanoparticle size and shape. Therefore, understanding the structure sensitivity of catalytic reactions is of fundamental and technical importance. Experiments with single-particle resolution, where ensemble-averaging is eliminated, are required to study it. Here, we implement the selective trapping of individual spherical, cubic, and octahedral colloidal Au nanocrystals in 100 parallel nanofluidic channels to determine their activity for fluorescein reduction by sodium borohydride using fluorescence microscopy. As the main result, we identify distinct structure sensitivity of the rate-limiting borohydride oxidation step originating from different edge site abundance on the three particle types, as confirmed by first-principles calculations. This advertises nanofluidic reactors for the study of structure–function correlations in catalysis and identifies nanoparticle shape as a key factor in borohydride-mediated catalytic reactions.
Short pulses of epiretinal prostheses evoke network-mediated responses in retinal ganglion cells by stimulating presynaptic neurons

Objective. Microelectronic retinal implant aims to restore functional vision with electric stimulation. Short pulses are generally known to directly activate retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with a notion of one or two spike(s) per pulse. In the present work, we systematically explore network-mediated responses that arise from various short pulses in both normal and degenerate retinas. Approach. Cell-attached patch clamping was used to record spiking responses of RGCs in wild-type (C57BL/6J) and retinal degeneration (rd10) mice. Alpha RGCs of the mouse retinas were targeted by their large soma sizes and classified by their responses to spot flashes. Then, RGCs were electrically stimulated by various conditions such as duration (100–460 μs), count (1–10), amplitude (100–400 μA), and repeating frequency (10–40 Hz) of short pulses. Also, their responses were compared with each own response to a single 4 ms long pulse which is known to evoke strong indirect responses. Main results. Short pulses evoked strong network-mediated responses not only in both ON and OFF types of RGCs in the healthy retinas but also in RGCs of the severely degenerate retina. However, the spike timing consistency across repeats not decreased significantly in the rd10 RGCs compared to the healthy ON and OFF RGCs. Network-mediated responses of ON RGCs were highly dependent on the current amplitude of stimuli but much less on the pulse count and the repetition frequency. In contrast, responses of OFF RGCs were more influenced by the number of stimuli than the current amplitude. Significance. Our results demonstrate that short pulses also elicit indirect responses by activating presynaptic neurons. In the case of the commercial retinal prostheses using repeating short pulses, there is a possibility that the performance of clinical devices is highly related to the preserved retinal circuits. Therefore, examination of surviving retinal neurons in patients would be necessary to improve the efficacy of retinal prostheses.
Permanents in linear optical networks

We develop an abstract look at linear optical networks from the viewpoint of combinatorics and permanents. In particular we show that calculation of matrix elements of unitarily transformed photonic multi-mode states is intimately linked to the computation of permanents. An implication of this remarkable fact is that all calculations that are based on evaluating matrix elements are generically computationally hard. Moreover, quantum mechanics provides simpler derivations of certain matrix analysis results which we exemplify by showing that the permanent of any unitary matrix takes its values across the unit disk in the complex plane.
Controllability of simple mechanical control systems

The work presented in this talk was initiated by some work which went into my PhD dissertation [Lewis 1995a], and has been ongoing, to some extent, ever since. The initial aim of the work was to address some of the basic nonlinear control questions in the specific context of mechanical systems. Although there is some fairly general work in the Hamiltonian control framework (see [Nijmeijer and van der Schaft 1990, Chapter 12]), existing work in the Lagrangian framework was ad hoc and example based. Examples commonly studied were robotic systems and satellite control. Since these systems are “simple” (i.e., their Lagrangians are kinetic minus potential energy), as are many mechanical control systems which arise in applications, it seems reasonable to focus on this class of systems.
Das Persönlichkeitsinventar für ICD-11 (PiCD): Reliabilität und Validität der Deutschen Version in einer klinischen und nicht-klinischen Stichprobe

Zusammenfassung Mit der 11. Version der International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) erfolgt ein Paradigmenwechsel in der Diagnostik von Persönlichkeitsstörungen: Deren Klassifikation erfolgt künftig nicht mehr kategorial, sondern dimensional entlang der Schweregrade von Persönlichkeitsbeeinträchtigungen und optional der Präsenz maladaptiver Persönlichkeitsmerkmale. Diese Studie untersucht die Reliabilität und Validität der deutschen Version des Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD), ein Fragebogen zur Erfassung der ICD-11 Persönlichkeitsdomänen, in einer klinischen und nicht-klinischen Stichprobe (N=939). Die Faktorstruktur des PiCD wurde mit Hilfe einer explorativen Faktorenanalyse (EFA) untersucht und zeigte eine Tendenz für ein Vier-Faktoren Modell (Negative Affektivität, Dissozialität, Distanziertheit und ein bipolarer Faktor Enthemmung-Anankasmus). Die Subskalen des PiCD wiesen akzeptable bis exzellente Reliabilitätskoeffizienten mit Cronbach‘s α=0,79 – 0,89 und McDonald‘s ω=0,76 – 0,90 auf. Die konvergente und diskriminante Validität wurde anhand weiterer Selbsteinschätzungsinstrumente untersucht und erwies sich als zufriedenstellend. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass es sich bei der deutschen Version des PiCD um ein reliables und einigermaßen valides Messinstrument zur Erfassung der maladaptiven Persönlichkeitsmerkmale gemäß ICD-11 handelt. Es ist jedoch weitere Forschung zur Faktorenstruktur, geeigneten Cut-Off- sowie Normwerten notwendig.
Generating all trees : history of combinatorial generation

Chapter 7 Combinatorial Searching 1 7.2. Generating All Possibilities 1 7.2. 1. Generating Basic Combinatorial Patterns 1 7.2. 1.1. Generating all n-tuples 1 7.2. 1.2. Generating all permutations 1 7.2. 1.3 Generating all combinations 1 7.2. 1.4 Generating all partitions 1 7.2. 1.5 Generating all set partitions 2 7.2. 1.6 Generating all trees 2 7.2. 1.7 History and further references 48 Answers to Exercises 76Index and Glossary 112
Removal of cardiac AL amyloid with positive remodelling of cardiomyocytes and of restrictive cardiomyopathy

Herein, we describe histological mobilization of light chain cardiac amyloid documented by sequential left ventricular endomyocardial biopsies. These findings were associated with positive remodelling of cardiomyocytes and of restrictive cardiomyopathy resulting from 14 courses of chemotherapy over 17 years of time. Histological and ultrastructural findings of light chain cardiac amyloid removal led to increase in cardiomyocyte dimension and electrocardiogram voltages, reduction of biventricular wall thickness with improvement of left ventricular diastolic function, and NYHA class shifting from III to I.
Drivers of fungal diversity and community biogeography differ between green roofs and adjacent ground‐level green space

Abstract Green roof soils are usually engineered for purposes other than urban biodiversity, which may impact their fungal communities, and in turn impact the health of plants in the urban ecosystem. We examined the drivers of fungal diversity and community composition in soil of green roofs and adjacent ground‐level green spaces in three Midwestern USA cities—Chicago, Cleveland, and Minneapolis. Overall, fungal communities on green roofs were more diverse than ground‐level green spaces and were correlated with plant cover (positively) and roof age (negatively) rather than abiotic soil properties. Fungal community composition was distinct between roof and ground environments, among cities, and between sampling sites, but green roofs and their immediately surrounding ground‐level green space showed some similarity. This suggests dispersal limitation may result in geographic structuring at large spatial scales, but dispersal between roofs and their neighbouring sites may be occurring. Different fungal taxonomic and functional groups were better explained when roofs were classified either by depth (extensive or intensive) or functional intent of the roof design (i.e. stormwater/energy, biodiversity, or aesthetics/recreation). Our results demonstrate that green roofs are an important reservoir of fungal diversity in the urban landscape, which should be considered in future green roof design.