Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fibre gratings and devices for sensors and lasers

Although mainstream grating writing, more often than not using single photon excitation of germanosilicate based defects with CW 244 nm light, remains the key technology for complex devices it is now being complemented by a whole host of processes which can enhance and tailor the properties of both conventional and not‐so‐conventional fibre Bragg gratings. Further, processes for writing of gratings in non‐germanosilicate fibres have also continued to develop and include multi‐photon excitation directly into the band edge of the glass. It is now possible to custom tailor a gratings property based on the application and the nature of production as well as custom tailor the grating writing process to suit the type of fibre and application. Examples and suggestions where these can benefit sensors and lasers are outlined.
Small form factor full parallax tiled light field display

With the recent introduction of Ostendo’s Quantum Photonic Imager (QPI) display technology, a very small pixel pitch, emissive display with high brightness and low power consumption became available. We used QPI’s to create a high performance light field display tiles with a very small form factor. Using 8 of these QPI light field displays tiled in a 4x2 array we created a tiled full parallax light field display. Each individual light field display tile combines custom designed micro lens array layers with monochrome green QPIs. Each of the light field display tiles can address 1000 x 800 pixels placed under an array of 20 x 16 lenslets with 500 μm diameters. The light field display tiles are placed with small gaps to create a tiled display of approximately 46 mm (W) x 17 mm (H) x 2 mm (D) in mechanical dimensions. The prototype tiled full parallax light field display demonstrates small form factor, high resolution and focus cues.
Genome-Wide Association Analysis Reveals Novel Loci Related with Visual Score Traits in Nellore Cattle Raised in Pasture–Based Systems

Simple Summary Genome-wide association studies attempt to understand the genetic structure through the expression of genes that influence a given productive trait. This work studied the associations between single nucleotide polymorphism with visual score traits in beef cattle, identifying genomic regions and candidate genes with greater effects for body conformation, precocity, and muscularity. Several novel genomic regions that had not been previously identified in the literature were revealed. Our results will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in Zebu cattle growth, serving as a base reference in adjacent research related to the application of molecular markers in the detection of new genomic regions related to traits of economic interest in beef cattle. Abstract Body conformation traits assessed based on visual scores are widely used in Zebu cattle breeding programs. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions and biological pathways associated with body conformation (CONF), finishing precocity (PREC), and muscling (MUSC) in Nellore cattle. The measurements based on visual scores were collected in 20,807 animals raised in pasture-based systems in Brazil. In addition, 2775 animals were genotyped using a 35 K SNP chip, which contained 31,737 single nucleotide polymorphisms after quality control. Single-step GWAS was performed using the BLUPF90 software while candidate genes were identified based on the Ensembl Genes 69. PANTHER and REVIGO platforms were used to identify key biological pathways and STRING to create gene networks. Novel candidate genes were revealed associated with CONF, including ALDH9A1, RXRG, RAB2A, and CYP7A1, involved in lipid metabolism. The genes associated with PREC were ELOVL5, PID1, DNER, TRIP12, and PLCB4, which are related to the synthesis of long-chain fatty acids, lipid metabolism, and muscle differentiation. For MUSC, the most important genes associated with muscle development were SEMA6A, TIAM2, UNC5A, and UIMC1. The polymorphisms identified in this study can be incorporated in commercial genotyping panels to improve the accuracy of genomic evaluations for visual scores in beef cattle.
Assessment of Mineralogical Characteristics of Clays and the Effect of Waste Materials on Their Index Properties for the Production of Bricks

Significant research investigations on the characteristics of unexplored clay deposits are being conducted in light of the growing need for clay in the ceramic industry and the variable chemistry of clays. Parallel to this, the generation of waste materials like fly ash, ferrochrome slag, and silica fume is also increasing, responsible for environmental degradation. This paper aims to study the mineralogical properties of pure clays (one specimen from Siberia and five specimens from different locations in Turkey), and the effect of mentioned waste materials on the index properties of clays obtained. This study is divided into two phases, wherein in the first phase, the pure clay specimens are analyzed against mineralogical properties (i.e., chemical composition, thermal analysis, and particle size distribution). While in the second phase, index properties of pure clay specimens and clay specimens modified with 0–50% fly ash, ferrochrome slag, and silica fume are analyzed. The results reveal that the clay specimens from Turkey (USCS classification: CL) are fit for the ceramic industry and bricks production, and incorporation of waste materials can further improve their index properties. It is also observed that incorporation of 10–30% fly ash and ferrochrome slag have higher efficiency in reducing the plasticity index of clays studied as compared to the addition of silica fume.
Effectiveness of Nivolumab in Second-Line and Later in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Real-Life Practice in France and Germany: Analysis of the ESME-AMLC and CRISP Cohorts

Simple Summary There is a need to better understand the effectiveness of new treatments, such as the recently approved nivolumab, in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in clinical practice. This study aims to report the characteristics and outcomes of 2784 patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer receiving nivolumab in second-line or later in France (ESME-AMLC) and Germany (CRISP) between 2015 and 2020. Two-year survival rates were 26.7% in patients with tumors with squamous histology and 32.8% in patients with non-squamous/others histologies in ESME-AMLC, and 20.9% and 18.9%, respectively, in CRISP. Poorer performance score and shorter duration from the previous line of therapy initiation were significantly associated with shorter treatment duration with nivolumab and overall survival. These real-world data provide insight into the characteristics of patients receiving nivolumab in France and Germany and confirm the efficacy of nivolumab previously observed in clinical trials. Abstract This study reports characteristics and outcomes in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) receiving nivolumab in second-line or later (2L+) in France and Germany between 2015 and 2020. Patients with aNSCLC (stage IIIB–C/IV) receiving nivolumab in 2L+ were included from the retrospective Epidemiological Strategy and Medical Economics of Advanced and Metastatic Lung Cancer cohort (ESME-AMLC, France; 2015–2019) and Clinical Research platform Into molecular testing, treatment and outcome of non-Small cell lung carcinoma Patients (CRISP, Germany; 2016–2020). Overall, 2262 ESME-AMLC and 522 CRISP patients were included. Median treatment duration (95% confidence intervals) was 2.8 months (2.5–3.2) in squamous and 2.5 months (2.3–2.8) in non-squamous/others patients in ESME-AMLC, and 2.3 months (1.4–3.1) and 2.3 months (2.0–2.8), respectively in CRISP. One-year and two-year overall survival (OS) were 47.2% and 26.7% in squamous and 50.8% and 32.8% in non-squamous/others patients in ESME-AMLC, and 43.1% and 20.9%, and 37.7% and 18.9%, respectively in CRISP. Poorer performance score and shorter time from start of previous line of therapy initiation were significantly associated with shorter treatment duration and OS. This study confirms, in real-world clinical databases, the efficacy of nivolumab previously observed in clinical trials.
Comparing the Cost per Mile of Electric Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles in Ghana

Reducing ambient air pollution could potentially prevent 1790 deaths a year in Accra alone. Vehicular emissions are a major source of air pollution, especially (PM)2.5, and a transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is considered a solution to this. This paper estimates the cost per mile of electric vehicles compared with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) based on the retail price, fuel/energy, depreciation, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and charging infrastructure in Ghana for 10 years. The 10-year costs per mile of the BEV are less than those of the ICEV by 9.4%–24%. The advantage is only after the seventh year, while before this the BEVs were more expensive to own. Total import tax contributes up to 20% of the BEV cost per mile. It costs 83% less to charge a BEV for a mile compared to fueling an ICEV. A significant rise in electricity tariffs is very likely to negatively affect the transition to e-mobility. We found the electricity tariff to be the most sensitive to the cost per mile of the BEV because, for every US$1 price increase in the cost per kWh, the cost per mile of the BEV increased by US$ 0.315. The results also showed that a transition to e-mobility could reduce CO2 emissions from transportation by 72%, NO x emissions by 79%, volatile organic compounds by 99%, and particulate matter by 56%. Future policy should target the removal of import tax on BEVs and their parts, especially high-voltage batteries.
Prior Myocardial Infarction and Treatment Effect of Ticagrelor Versus Prasugrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes ‐ A Post‐hoc Analysis of the ISAR‐REACT 5 Trial

Background The efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus prasugrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome and prior myocardial infarction (MI) remain unstudied. We aimed to assess the treatment effect of ticagrelor versus prasugrel according to prior MI status in patients with ACS. Methods and Results Patients with acute coronary syndrome planned for an invasive strategy and randomized to ticagrelor or prasugrel in the ISAR‐REACT (Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen: Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment) 5 trial were included. The primary end point was the composite of 1‐year all‐cause death, MI, or stroke; the secondary safety end point was the composite of 1‐year Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 to 5 bleeding. The study included 4015 patients (prior MI=631 patients; no prior MI=3384 patients). As compared with patients without prior MI, the primary end point occurred more frequently in patients with prior MI (12.6% versus 7.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.78 [95% CI, 1.38–2.29]); the secondary safety end point appears to differ little between patients with and without prior MI (5.8% versus 5.7%, respectively; HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.71–1.45]). With regard to the primary end point, ticagrelor versus prasugrel was associated with an HR of 1.62 (95% CI, 1.03–2.55) in patients with prior MI and an HR of 1.28 (95% CI, 0.99–1.65) in patients without prior MI (P int=0.37). With regard to the secondary safety end point, ticagrelor versus prasugrel was associated with an HR of 1.28 (95% CI, 0.56–2.91) in patients with prior MI and an HR of 1.13 (95% CI, 0.82–1.55) in patients without prior MI (P int=0.79). Conclusions Patients with acute coronary syndrome and prior MI are at higher risk for recurrent ischemic but not bleeding events. Prasugrel is superior to ticagrelor in reducing the risk of ischemic events without a tradeoff in bleeding regardless of prior MI status. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov; Unique identifier: NCT01944800.
Efficient cross-relaxation laser emitting at λ = 2.94 μ

An analysis was made of a new configuration of a laser utilizing the 4I11/2–4I11/2 transition in the Er3+ ions in YAG with a high activator concentration (~5×1021cm−3). It is shown that at a certain excitation rate the cross-relaxation processes increase considerably the lasing efficiency and make it possible to achieve cw emission as a result of transitions from a long-lived lower level.
Charge volume minimization in liberalized telecommunication markets

The liberalization of telecommunication markets allows the choice of call provider for each single connection. This leads to the question of which provider has to be chosen to minimize the charge volume for all the calls over an accounting period. In contrast to the simple derivation of routing policies found in existing least cost routing (LCR) tables, the incremental and global quantity discounts granted by providers are taken into account in the optimization approach developed in this paper. The dynamic, non-convex, non-linear optimization problem arising from the minimization of the charge volume is solved using the evolutionary optimization method of genetic algorithms. The mathematical formulation of the problem, the genetic algorithm used, the limitation of the search space, and the quantity discount regulation developed are presented. The optimization results obtained by applying the concept to the call data of the University of Hanover are analysed and discussed. The paper concludes with an outlook for the implementation of LCR policies.
Assessing the impact of referred actions on protected matters under Australia's national environmental legislation

Australia's national environmental legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) has been criticized for failing to mitigate the national extinction crisis. Under the EPBC Act, projects anticipated to have a significant impact on protected matters must be referred to the Australian Government for assessment. Actions deemed unlikely to have a significant impact are granted permission to proceed, while actions expected to have a significant impact must undergo further assessment. We spatially analyzed potential habitat loss deemed either significant or non‐significant in Queensland and New South Wales for threatened species, migratory species, and threatened ecological communities between 2000 and 2015. Impact scores were developed to quantify and compare the value of woody vegetation cleared under each referral determination. We found no statistically significant difference between median impact scores for vegetation removed under significant and non‐significant determinations. Over half (63%) of all scored losses occurred under actions deemed non‐significant, with certain species disproportionately impacted. The tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) and grey‐headed flying‐fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) lost 82% and 72% of their total referred potential habitat under non‐significant actions, respectively. Our results indicate that the application of the EPBC Act is failing to adequately conserve the protected matters of this investigation.
Return migration and employment mobility: a pan-European analysis

ABSTRACT Although there has been increasing focus on the employment mobility associated with migration and return, a number of important research gaps can be identified. First, there has been greater focus on occupational mobility than on changes in economic activity, although it is their interaction which determines welfare outcomes. Moreover, most studies of economic activity have focused on either self-employment, or the simple dichotomy between being employed versus unemployed, neglecting the shifts between full-time, part-time, and casual employment. Secondly, research on the determinants of these different types of employment mobility has been relatively narrowly focused on individual economic factors. Most studies have been fragmented, especially lacking a comparative element. To address these gaps, descriptive statistics and Bayesian multilevel models are applied to a pan-European panel survey of 3851 young returned migrants. The findings disclose that positive shifts in employment mobility are more evident in economic activity than in occupations, and for those with a lower occupational status prior to migration. Although a range of significant determinants of employment mobility are identified, the findings also demonstrate that education is a major driver of occupational mobility, while marital and family status are important influences on economic activity shifts.
Climate vulnerability and government resource mobilization in developing countries

: There is substantial empirical literature on the impact of climate vulnerability on economic outcomes in developing countries. However, this literature is still weak on the impact of climate vulnerability on tax revenue mobilization. To enrich the existing literature, this paper aims to investigate the effects of climate vulnerability on government revenue mobilization in a sample of 84 developing countries over the period 1995–2019. To achieve this objective, we use the pooled ordinary least square and fixed-effects ordinary least square regressor techniques as developed by Driscoll and Kraay (1998). We obtain three main results. First, climate vulnerability hampers government revenue mobilization in developing countries. Indeed, a variation of 1 per cent in the level of climate vulnerability induces a decrease in government revenues of 0.63 points. Second, climate vulnerability has different impacts on each type of government tax revenue. Regarding the subcomponents of tax revenue (direct and indirect tax), the results confirm the harmful effect of climate vulnerability on all these subcomponents. Furthermore, it appears that direct taxes are the most compromised in terms of magnitude. Third, this effect does not change when climate vulnerability is disaggregated (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity). However, the climate sensitivity index has a significantly greater effect than the other two. Finally, by applying quantile regression and the two-step system generalized method of moments to control, respectively, distributional heterogeneity and the potential endogenous problem, we also find that climate vulnerability hampers government revenue mobilization in developing countries. These results suggest recommendations relative to the implementation of measures meant to improve the resilience of people to climate change and natural disasters.
On the S-wave components of the emission lines in the spectra of cataclysmic variables

Les vitesses des atomes emettant une onde S dans deux novae naines (UGem et WZ sge) sont identiques a la vitesse du courant pres de la tache chaude, alors que dans quatre objets stationnaires en accretion (AC Cnc, DQ Her, RW Tri et UX UMa), ils sont identiques a la vitesse des parties externes du disque
Fluorescence near interfaces: The role of photonic mode density

A review of fluorescence near interfaces is presented. Recent work that examines the role of photonic mode density in this process is surveyed and the underlying concepts discussed. The review includes an examination of the role of surface and waveguide modes, as well as non-radiative decay. The importance of textured surfaces in providing large changes in photonic mode density and in coupling non-radiative modes to radiation is highlighted. Indications are given for future areas of research and on how photonic mode density may influence optical processes other than fluorescence.
Hörmander's Carleson theorem for the ball

Let denote the unit ball in ℂ2 and let Sdenote its boundary, the unit sphere. For z ∈ B and δ>0, the following non isotropic balls are defined, where A finite positive Borel measure μ, on B is called a Carleson measure if there exists a constant C for which Here σ denotes normalized surface area measure on S. The following theorem was obtained by Hörmander [6] as a special case of more general variants for strictly pseudoconvex domains in ℂn. Recently Cima and Wogen [3] derived it from a Carleson measure theorem for Bergman spaces of the ball. A different direct approach to the Bergman context, and related settings, is given in Leucking [7].
Utility of fistula risk score in assessing the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula occurrence and other significant complications after different types of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor resections

Purpose This study was performed to evaluate the utility of the fistula risk score (FRS) and its components in predicting the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistula and other significant postoperative complications after resections of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Methods Retrospective analysis of 131 patients operated on for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors between 2015 and 2021 was performed. The correlation of the FRS scale with the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistulas and postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification was analyzed; only in 109 cases of distal resections and pancreatoduodenectomies (PD). Results Soft pancreatic texture and intraoperative blood loss of >700 mL are risk factors for clinically significant pancreatic fistula (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively) and significant postoperative complications (P = 0.016 and P = 0.001, respectively). Wirsung duct diameter (WDD) was associated only with the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (P = 0.013). FRS scale is associated with the occurrence of pancreatic fistulas and clinically significant postoperative complications in cases of distal resections and PDs (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Postoperative complications are correlated with the occurrence of fistula type B or C (P < 0.001). Conclusion Soft pancreatic texture, intraoperative blood loss of >700 mL, and a WDD of ≤3 mm are risk factors for clinically significant postoperative pancreatic fistula. FRS may be applied not only in PDs but also in distal pancreatectomies. Unfortunately, it is not used in total pancreatic resections and enucleations since FRS takes into account the WDD.
Deep Reinforcement Learning Car-Following Model Considering Longitudinal and Lateral Control

The lateral control of the vehicle is significant for reducing the rollover risk of high-speed cars and improving the stability of the following vehicle. However, the existing car-following (CF) models rarely consider lateral control. Therefore, a CF model with combined longitudinal and lateral control is constructed based on the three degrees of freedom vehicle dynamics model and reinforcement learning method. First, 100 CF segments were selected from the OpenACC database, including 50 straight and 50 curved road trajectories. Afterward, the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) car-following model and multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) car-following model were constructed based on the deterministic policy gradient theory. Finally, the models are trained with the extracted trajectory data and verified by comparison with the observed data. The results indicate that the vehicle under the control of the MADDPG model and the vehicle under the control of the DDPG model are both safer and more comfortable than the human-driven vehicle (HDV) on straight roads and curved roads. Under the premise of safety, the vehicle under the control of the MADDPG model has the highest road traffic flow efficiency. The maximum lateral offset of the vehicle under the control of the MADDPG model and the vehicle under the control of the DDPG model in straight road conditions is respectively reduced by 80.86% and 71.92%, compared with the HDV, and the maximum lateral offset in the curved road conditions is lessened by 83.67% and 78.95%. The proposed car following model can provide a reference for developing an adaptive cruise control system considering lateral stability.