Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parametric holographic scattering processes in photorefractive barium–calcium titanate crystals

We investigate light-induced parametric holographic scattering in photorefractive Ba0.77Ca0. 23TiO3 (BCT) crystals illuminated with two coherent pump beams. On a screen behind the crystal we observe different scattering patterns which we attribute to certain phase-matching conditions. This allows for the identification of the involved four-wave mixing processes. We discuss the influence of space charge field limitations and the magnitude of the involved electrooptic tensor elements on the appearance of parametric scattering processes. In this context we compare our results with observations in other crystals.
Deep Semantic Segmentation of Angiogenesis Images

Angiogenesis is the development of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. It is a complex multifaceted process that is essential for the adequate functioning of human organisms. The investigation of angiogenesis is conducted using various methods. One of the most popular and most serviceable of these methods in vitro is the short-term culture of endothelial cells on Matrigel. However, a significant disadvantage of this method is the manual analysis of a large number of microphotographs. In this regard, it is necessary to develop a technique for automating the annotation of images of capillary-like structures. Despite the increasing use of deep learning in biomedical image analysis, as far as we know, there still has not been a study on the application of this method to angiogenesis images. To the best of our knowledge, this article demonstrates the first tool based on a convolutional Unet++ encoder–decoder architecture for the semantic segmentation of in vitro angiogenesis simulation images followed by the resulting mask postprocessing for data analysis by experts. The first annotated dataset in this field, AngioCells, is also being made publicly available. To create this dataset, participants were recruited into a markup group, an annotation protocol was developed, and an interparticipant agreement study was carried out.
An Empirical Analysis of E-Governments’ Cookie Interfaces in 50 Countries

Cookies have been used by websites to store information about user behavior. Although they provide several benefits, including improving user experience, they can threaten user privacy, particularly when websites use third-party cookies for data analysis. Websites must inform their users about what data are collected and how they are used through the cookie interface. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of cookie interface design on user behavior to verify whether these interfaces provide users with the required information to make an informed decision. In this paper, we evaluated the cookie interfaces of 243 E-Government websites based on well-defined guidelines to understand the critical factors designers should consider when designing cookie interfaces. To evaluate the cookies interfaces’ usability, we selected one of the inspection-based methods called the individual expert review method. The results showed that European websites are more compliant with the adopted guidelines. Surprisingly, more than 50% of the websites did not provide a cookie interface to their users, while more than 40% did not provide a privacy policy. The primary finding of this study is that over 90% of the websites use dark patterns in their interfaces. The study concludes with some recommendations to help in designing a usable privacy interface.
A generalized maintenance of variance extension procedure for extending correlated series

Hirsch's (1982) maintenance of variance extension technique for filling in missing observations or producing a unique extended streamflow sequence with a specified mean and variance is generalized to reproduce also the correlation between the variate of interest and other variables. The technique is used to extend several seasonal streamflow forecast series so that the generated forecasts have the appropriate mean, variance, and forecasting power. A multivariate model is developed which can extend several series simultaneously.
Stakeholder salience: corporate responses during a public health crisis

Prior crisis management research mainly studied the context of accidental and preventable crises which are generally within the organization's control, while the COVID-19 pandemic presents a public health crisis in which corporations do not have control over the extent of the impacts. Built upon the stakeholder salience framework, we propose and test the hypotheses that are derived from societal stakeholders' power, legitimacy, and urgent claims during the pandemic and reveal several corporate responses that address multiple stakeholders' interests, including customers, shareholders, community, suppliers, and employees. Specifically, corporations with a larger number of employees and social media followers tend to adopt more corporate responses that address various stakeholders' concerns. Further, in highly impacted industries, there is an increased influence of social media followers on customer-related corporate responses as well as a decreased influence of employees on employee-related corporate responses.
South Korea's renewed focus on space weather

Nearly 1000 years before European scientists David Fabricius and Galileo Galilei made historic observations of sunspots, royal astronomers in Korea were recording their observations of blemishes on the Sun. Sunspot records appeared as early as 640 C.E. in Korea [Yang et al., 1998], and records with statistically significant populations of data have been available since 1105 C.E. during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). The records are quite meticulous. For example, one entry dated 1151 in the annals of the Goryeo dynasty says, “There is a black spot in the sun as large as an egg” ( Goryeo-Sa, 1451). At that time, sunspots were categorized according to size: plum, egg, peach, or pear. In Goryeo-Sa, various celestial phenomena such as solar eclipses, comets, novae, meteors, etc., were also recorded. Along with sunspots, aurorae were carefully described in several Korean chronicles, including Goryeo-Sa. Descriptions of aurorae, commonly referred to as “red energy,” include their color, shape, motion, and distribution. For example, a description written in 1770 reads, “It spread across the sky like a piece of silk cloth and then dispersed” [Chanjipcheong, 1908; Park, 2008]. Applying a power spectrum analysis technique to all sunspot and aurora records from the Goryeo dynasty, Yang et al. [1998] and Lee et al. [2005] have shown 10.5-year and 97-year cycles for the sunspot records and 10-year and 87-year cycles for the aurora records. Despite the presence of invaluable records of solar variability and celestial phenomena painstakingly archived in Korean history books, these data had never been utilized for scientific purposes because, as in many other ancient cultures, observations regarding the heavens were accessible only to royal families. After Korea’s imperial age ended, the chaos of the transition to Japanese rule at the turn of the twentieth century prevented Koreans from continuing their ancestors’ tradition of detailed solar and celestial observations. However, since the birth of the new Korea and particularly during the last several decades of the twentieth century, South Koreans have tried hard to reestablish their preeminence in space weather– related research. In recent years they have also seen many high-tech facilities, especially those associated with advanced information technologies— one of the main engines of the South Korean economy— become more vulnerable to the adverse effects of sunspots and solar storms. Reliable space weather information has thus become critical to the continued prosperity of the South Korean economy. To meet this urgent demand, space weather research in South Korea has become a rapidly developing discipline. The South Korean government has taken an active role in space weather research and applications by monitoring the Sun and polar environments, sponsoring robust national space science and meteorological programs, and promoting efficient systems for the delivery of space weather information to the public.
Reconstruction of LoD-2 Building Models Guided by Façade Structures from Oblique Photogrammetric Point Cloud

Due to the façade visibility, intuitive expression, and multi-view redundancy, oblique photogrammetry can provide optional data for large-scale urban LoD-2 reconstruction. However, the inherent noise in oblique photogrammetric point cloud resulting from the image-dense matching limits further model reconstruction applications. Thus, this paper proposes a novel method for the efficient reconstruction of LoD-2 building models guided by façade structures from an oblique photogrammetric point cloud. First, a building planar layout is constructed combined with footprint data and the vertical planes of the building based on spatial consistency constraints. The cells in the planar layout represent roof structures with a distinct altitude difference. Then, we introduce regularity constraints and a binary integer programming model to abstract the façade with the best-fitting monotonic regularized profiles. Combined with the planar layout and regularized profiles, a 2D building topology is constructed. Finally, the vertices of building roof facets can be derived from the 2D building topology, thus generating a LoD-2 building model. Experimental results using real datasets indicate that the proposed method can generate reliable reconstruction results compared with two state-of-the-art methods.
Low-cost high performance readout system for fiber-optic biosensors

We have developed an instrument for real time continuous interferometric measurement of dimensional change in stimuli-responsive hydrogel sensors. The instrument consists of a superfluorecent LED and a low-cost grating spectrometer. All signal conditioning and processing is performed using a microprocessor. We have tested the instrument with a glucose sensitive hydrogel sensor. The rms noise on the length measurement is less than 1.4 nm, whereas rms noise on the length change is less than 0.25 nm. An observed bias of the length measurement can be reduced by minor changes in the frequency estimation algorithm used.
Methylation oligonucleotide microarray: a novel tool to analyze methylation patterns

A new technique to analyze methylation patterns in several adjacent CpG sites was developed and reported here. We selected a 336bp segment of the 5’-untranslated region and the first exon of the p16Ink4a gene, which include the most densely packed CpG fragment of the islands containing 32 CpG dinucleotides, as the investigated target. The probes that include all types of methylation patterns were designed to fabricate a DNA microarray to determine the methylation patterns of seven adjacent CpG dinucleotides sites. High accuracy and reproducibility were observed in several parallel experiments. The results led us to the conclusion that the methylation oligonucleotide microarray can be applied as a novel and powerful tool to map methylation patterns and changes in multiple CpG island loci in a variety of tumors.
Mixed Logit (or Logit Kernel) Model: Dispelling Misconceptions of Identification

Mixed logit is a discrete choice model that has both probit-like disturbances and an additive independent and identically distributed extreme value (or Gumbel) disturbance à la multinomial logit. The result is an intuitive, practical, and powerful model that combines the flexibility of probit (and more) with the tractability of logit. For that reason mixed logit has been deemed the “model of the future” and is becoming extremely popular in the literature. It has been experimented with in almost all stages of transportation modeling and has been included in widely used statistical software packages as well as a recent edition of a popular econometrics textbook. Although the basic structure of mixed logit models is well understood, there are important identification issues that are often overlooked. Misunderstanding these issues can lead to biased estimates as well as a significant loss of fit. Some misconceptions concerning identification of mixed logit models that have led to misspecified models in the literature are highlighted. The purpose is simply to whet the appetite for the identification issue. The important idea presented here is that seemingly obvious specifications and estimation practices (starting with a multinomial logit specification and adding random parameters) can have unintended consequences. Technical details are not provided; rather the emphasis is on highlighting some of the interesting identification issues and providing empirical and conceptual supporting arguments. Readers interested in rigorous arguments behind these results are encouraged to read the parallel papers, which are referenced throughout.
A choice model-based analysis of diversification in organic and conventional farms

Diversification is a polymorphic strategy to increase agricultural income and reduce the risks deriving from the surrounding environment. This strategy can also be successfully adopted in the context of organic farming. However, there is a lack of confirmation in this regard given the scarcity of studies that explicitly focus on diversification in organic farms. The objective of this paper is to analyse the influence of some territorial, socio-economic, and political factors on the probability of diversifying in both organic and conventional farms. To this aim, multinomial and binary logit models are applied to the Italian case. Results suggest that on-farm diversification requires specific competences and adequate organization. However, the reasons for diversifying differ depending on the production model. In conventional farming, farmers diversify to achieve income levels comparable with those of a more competitive agriculture. Conversely, for organic farmers, diversification represents an integrated part of the production model to take advantage of synergies between organic production and diversification. From these results, some policy implications are drawn.
Self- and Cross-Fusing of Furan-Based Polyurea Gels Dynamically Cross-Linked with Maleimides

Bio-based polyureas (PUs) with main-chain furan rings were synthesized by the polyaddition of 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan with various diisocyanates, such as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Several PU’s were soluble in polar organic solvents, and were cast to form thermomechanically stable films with softening temperatures of over 100 °C. The furan rings of the PU main chains underwent a dynamic Diels-Alder (DA) reaction with bismaleimide (BMI) cross-linkers. While the mixed solution of PU and BMI did not show any apparent signs of reaction at room temperature, the DA reaction proceeded to form gels upon heating to 60 °C, which became a solution again by further heating to 80 °C (retro-DA reaction). The solution phase was maintained by rapid quenching from 80 °C to room temperature, while the gel was reformed upon slow cooling. The recovered gels exhibited self-healing properties. A scratch made by a hot knife at temperatures above 80 °C disappeared spontaneously. When two different gels were cut using a knife at room temperature, placed in contact with each other, and heated to 60 °C, they fused. The ability to control the DA/retro-DA reaction allowed gels of varying composition to heal.
Mutation Profile of HPV16 L1 and L2 Genes in Different Geographic Areas

The causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer in association with the high prevalence of high risk HPV genotypes led to the design of HPV vaccines based on the major capsid L1 protein. In recent years, capsid protein L2 has also become a focal point in the field of vaccine research. The present review focuses on the variability of HPV16 L1 and L2 genes, emphasizing the distribution of specific amino acid changes in the epitopes of capsid proteins. Moreover, a substantial bioinformatics analysis was conducted to describe the worldwide distribution of amino acid substitutions throughout HPV16 L1, L2 proteins. Five amino acid changes (T176N, N181T; EF loop), (T266A; FG loop), (T353P, T389S; HI loop) are frequently observed in the L1 hypervariable surface loops, while two amino acid substitutions (D43E, S122P) are adjacent to L2 specific epitopes. These changes have a high prevalence in certain geographic regions. The present review suggests that the extensive analysis of the amino acid substitutions in the HPV16 L1 immunodominant loops may provide insights concerning the ability of the virus in evading host immune response in certain populations. The genetic variability of the HPV16 L1 and L2 epitopes should be extensively analyzed in a given population.
Context and craving among individuals with alcohol use disorder attempting to moderate their drinking.

Many individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) prefer a goal of moderation, because they do not see their drinking as causing severe enough consequences to merit abstinence. Given that individuals attempting to moderate will continue to put themselves in contexts where drinking occurs, understanding how distinct external alcohol cues prompt craving is important for implementing the optimal treatments for individuals with AUD. Using data from a randomized controlled trial of stepped care brief interventions for AUD, this study explored the relationship between drinking contexts and craving in individuals attempting to moderate their drinking using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). At baseline, participants were asked to prospectively identify drinking contexts that were particularly likely to elicit intense craving and heavy drinking, called highly valued drinking contexts (HVCs). During EMA, participants were asked to report three times a day (morning, afternoon, evening) on their non-mutually exclusive contexts and their level of craving. Using multilevel modeling, all drinking contexts were tested as concurrent predictors of craving across the 84 days of the study. Next, AUD severity was tested as a moderator of HVC on craving. Results demonstrated that being in an HVC corresponded to greater reports of any craving and intensity of craving, over and above the influences of several other contextual factors (e.g., negative affect and already drinking). AUD severity significantly moderated HVC's impact on any craving, such that greater AUD severity potentiated HVC's already high odds of any craving. Implications for treatments for individuals with AUD are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Transcutaneous Energy Transmission System for a Rechargeable Cardiac Pacemaker.

Ordinarily whenever the battery is drained, the entire implanted device using the battery is changed. It is possible to extend the life of an implanted device by using a primary battery plus a secondary rechargeable battery. For example, a rechargeable cardiac pacemaker is covered with a titanium case. The secondary rechargeable battery is charged from the outside of the body. The titanium case, however, has a negative effect on transmission efficiency. In this study, we designed transmission coils considering circuit parameters and coil shapes. The proposed secondary coil is located within the inner wall of the titanium case. The primary coil has a spiral shape, with a constant outside diameter of 80 mm. We compared transmission efficiency for various inside diameters. The experiment results, we show that when the secondary coil is covered with a titanium case, the best inside diameter for the primary coil is 28 mm. If the coil gap is 20 mm, the transmission efficiency is 22%.
The Role of Protein and Free Amino Acids on Intake, Metabolism, and Gut Microbiome: A Comparison Between Breast-Fed and Formula-Fed Rhesus Monkey Infants

Background: Compared to breast-fed (BF), formula-fed (FF) infants exhibit more rapid weight gain, a different fecal microbial profile, as well as elevated serum insulin, insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). Since infant formula contains more protein and lower free amino acids than breast milk, it is thought that protein and/or free amino acids may be key factors that explain phenotypic differences between BF and FF infants. Methods: Newborn rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were either exclusively BF or fed regular formula or reduced protein formula either supplemented or not with a mixture of amino acids. Longitudinal sampling and clinical evaluation were performed from birth to 16 weeks including anthropometric measurements, intake records, collection of blood for hematology, serum biochemistry, hormones, and metabolic profiling, collection of urine for metabolic profiling, and collection of feces for 16s rRNA fecal microbial community profiling. Results: Reducing protein in infant formula profoundly suppressed intake, lowered weight gain and improved the FF-specific metabolic phenotype in the first month of age. This time-dependent change paralleled an improvement in serum insulin. All lower protein FF groups showed reduced protein catabolism with lower levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, ammonia, albumin, creatinine, as well as lower excretion of creatinine in urine compared to infants fed regular formula. Levels of fecal microbes (Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcus from the Ruminococcaceae family), that are known to have varying ability to utilize complex carbohydrates, also increased with protein reduction. Adding free amino acids to infant formula did not alter milk intake or fecal microbial composition, but did significantly increase urinary excretion of amino acids and nitrogen-containing metabolites. However, despite the lower protein intake, these infants still exhibited a distinct FF-specific metabolic phenotype characterized by accelerated weight gain, higher levels of insulin and C-peptide as well as elevated amino acids including BCAA, lysine, methionine, threonine and asparagine. Conclusions: Reducing protein and adding free amino acids to infant formula resulted in growth and metabolic performance of infants that were more similar to BF infants, but was insufficient to reverse the FF-specific accelerated growth and insulin-inducing high BCAA phenotype.
Virtual Parent Coaching of Music Interventions for Young Autistic Children in Mexico

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted education, peer interactions, and social access for a large percentage of learners and created increased stress and workloads for parents, particularly in families of autistic children, who lost access to specialized services. Providing parents with resources to support their children at home became a necessity. This exploratory study investigated the feasibility of a parent coaching model of music interventions through virtual sessions in a low-resource country. Eight families participated in six 1-hr weekly sessions where the music therapist shared music interventions for young autistic children through videoconferencing. Results show that parent coaching in a virtual setting is feasible, useful, and acceptable for parents. All parents improved in their ability to modify the environment to address child’s needs, adequately respond to their child’s communication attempts, and provide opportunities for engagement and natural reinforcement. Parents found the coaching important, useful, and supportive. Initial recommendations for practice include providing guidelines for safe sessions; adapting to family needs, strengths, and culture; relaying information quickly and concisely; and ensuring that parents can access local services to continue their parenting journey.