Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extended Stationary Phase Method based on Fresnel functions for the calculation of three-dimensional scattering of electromagnetic waves from rectangular perfectly conducting plates

The aim of this paper is to present an extension over a novel three dimensional high frequency method for the calculation of the scattered electromagnetic (EM) field from a Perfect Electric Conductor (PEC) plate, which is based on the Physical Optics (PO) approximation and the Stationary Phase Method (SPM). This method has been presented only recently, showing fast and satisfactory results, nevertheless its accuracy around the area of the main scattering lobe may further be enhanced. The extension proposed here is utilizing higher order approximation terms, which imply the use of Fresnel functions in order to optimize the results without any load in time efficiency, since our initial goal is to present a complete analytical method that produces accurate results without sacrificing the calculation time, which is very important for the practical use of radio-propagation tools.
Sensitive and critical periods for visual calibration of sound localization by barn owls

This study describes developmental changes in the capacity of owls to adjust sound localization in response to chronic prismatic displacement of the visual field and to recover accurate sound localization following the restoration of normal vision. Matched, binocular displacing prisms were mounted over the eyes of 19 barn owls (Tyto alba) beginning at ages ranging from 10 to 272 d. In nearly all cases, the visual field was shifted 23 degrees to the right. Sound localization was assessed on the basis of head orientations to sound sources, measured in a darkened sound chamber with a search coil system. Chronic exposure to a displaced visual field caused the owls to alter sound localization in the direction of the visual field displacement, thereby inducing a sound-localization error. The size of the sound-localization error that resulted depended on the age of the animal when prism experience began. Maximal errors of about 20 degrees were induced only when prism experience began by 21 d of age. As prism experience began at later ages, the magnitude of induced errors decreased. A bird that wore prisms beginning at 102 d of age, altered sound localization by only 6 degrees. An adult owl, when exposed chronically to a displaced visual field, altered sound localization by about 3 degrees. We refer to the early period in life when displaced vision induces exceptionally large sound-localization errors (relative to those induced in the adult) as a sensitive period. The capacity to recover accurate sound localization following restoration of normal vision was tested in 7 owls that had been raised wearing prisms. Four owls that had prisms removed by 182 d of age recovered accurate localization rapidly (over a period of weeks), whereas 3 owls that were older when the prisms were removed did not recover accurate localization when tested for up to 7 months after prism removal. Adjustment of sound localization slowed greatly or ceased at about 200 days of age, referred to here as the critical period for visual calibration of sound localization. Three owls were subjected repetitively to displacement of the visual field. An owl that adjusted sound localization to the left of normal during the sensitive period retained the capacity to adjust again to the left, but not to the right of normal, later in the critical period. The converse was true for an owl that adjusted sound localization to the right of normal during the sensitive period. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Transmitter‐Like Release of Endogenous 3,4‐Dihydroxyphenylalanine from Rat Striatal Slices

Abstract: Biphasic electrical field stimulation (0.5–5 Hz, 2 ms, 25 V, 3 min) and high K+ (10–30 mM, 5 min) released endogenous 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) from superfused rat striatal slices. Characteristics of the DOPA release were compared with those of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine, DA). Electrical stimulation at 2 Hz evoked DOPA and DA over similar time courses, α‐Methyl‐p‐tyrosine (0.2 mM) markedly reduced release of DOPA but not of DA. Maximal release (0.3 pmol) of DOPA was obtained at 2 Hz and at 15 mM K+. The impulse‐evoked release of DOPA and DA was completely tetrodotoxin (0.3 μM) sensitive and Ca2+ dependent and the 15 mM K+‐evoked release was also Ca2+ dependent. On l‐[3,5‐3H]tyrosine (1 μM) superfusion, high K+ (15 and 60 mM) released DOPA and DA together with concentration‐dependent decreases in tyrosine 3‐monooxygenase (EC 1.14.16.2) activity as indicated by [3H]H2O formation, followed by concentration‐dependent increases after DOPA and DA release ended. These findings suggest that striatal DOPA is released by a Ca2+‐dependent excitation‐secretion coupling process similar to that involved in transmitter release.
Cultural Accommodation: Hybridity and the Framing of Social Obligation

Implications of cultural accommodation-hybridization were explored within the framework of individualism-collectivism. Individualism highlights the personal and centralizes individuals as the unit of analyses, whereas collectivism highlights the social and contextualizes individuals as parts of connected social units. In 2 experiments, the ways in which individualism, collectivism, and identity salience influence social obligation to diverse others was explored. The authors varied the personal goal interrupted (achievement-pleasure), the target (individual-group), and focus (in-group-larger society) of social obligation within subjects. The authors hypothesized that collectivism would increase obligation to the in-group when identity was made salient; that individualism alone would dampen social obligation; and that cultural accommodation-hybridization (being high in both individualism and collectivism) would increase obligation to larger society.
Influence of Body Weight, Ethnicity, Oral Contraceptives, and Pregnancy on the Pharmacokinetics of Azithromycin in Women of Childbearing Age

ABSTRACT Women of childbearing age commonly receive azithromycin for the treatment of community-acquired infections, including during pregnancy. This study determined azithromycin pharmacokinetics in pregnant and nonpregnant women and identified covariates contributing to pharmacokinetic variability. Plasma samples were collected by using a sparse-sampling strategy from pregnant women at a gestational age of 12 to 40 weeks and from nonpregnant women of childbearing age receiving oral azithromycin for the treatment of an infection. Pharmacokinetic data from extensive sampling conducted on 12 healthy women were also included. Plasma samples were assayed for azithromycin by high-performance liquid chromatography. Population data were analyzed by nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. The population analysis included 53 pregnant and 25 nonpregnant women. A three-compartment model with first-order absorption and a lag time provided the best fit of the data. Lean body weight, pregnancy, ethnicity, and the coadministration of oral contraceptives were covariates identified as significantly influencing the oral clearance of azithromycin and, except for oral contraceptive use, intercompartmental clearance between the central and second peripheral compartments. No other covariate relationships were identified. Compared to nonpregnant women not receiving oral contraceptives, a 21% to 42% higher dose-adjusted azithromycin area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) occurred in non-African American women who were pregnant or receiving oral contraceptives. Conversely, azithromycin AUCs were similar between pregnant African American women and nonpregnant women not receiving oral contraceptives. Although higher levels of maternal and fetal azithromycin exposure suggest that lower doses be administered to non-African American women during pregnancy, the consideration of azithromycin pharmacodynamics during pregnancy should guide any dose adjustments.
Subdivisions in Digraphs of Large Out-Degree or Large Dichromatic Number

In 1985, Mader conjectured the existence of a function $f$ such that every digraph with minimum out-degree at least $f(k)$ contains a subdivision of the transitive tournament of order $k$. This conjecture is still completely open, as the existence of $f(5)$ remains unknown. In this paper, we show that if $D$ is an oriented path, or an in-arborescence (i.e., a tree with all edges oriented towards the root) or the union of two directed paths from $x$ to $y$ and a directed path from $y$ to $x$, then every digraph with minimum out-degree large enough contains a subdivision of $D$. Additionally, we study Mader's conjecture considering another graph parameter. The dichromatic number of a digraph $D$ is the smallest integer $k$ such that $D$ can be partitioned into $k$ acyclic subdigraphs. We show that any digraph with dichromatic number greater than $4^m (n-1)$ contains every digraph with $n$ vertices and $m$ arcs as a subdivision. We show that any digraph with dichromatic number greater than $4^m (n-1)$ contains every digraph with $n$ vertices and $m$ arcs as a subdivision.
Placental Transfer of Bupivacaine After Paracervical Block

Paracervical block using 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine alone, or with epinephrine 2.5 μg/ml, was given to 16 patients about to undergo elective cesarean section, who were then delivered between 5 and 30 minutes after the injection. Plasma bupivacaine concentrations were estimated in mother and baby. Bupivacaine alone produced maternal plasma concentrations double those after bupivacaine with epine-phrine. High concentrations of bupivacaine were not found in the neonates in this series. Direct intoxication of the fetus by local anesthetic agents is a possible cause of fetal brady-cardia and intrauterine death during paracervical block. Reasonable evidence is available to suggest that bupivacaine in a concentration of more than 0.25% should not be used for paracervical block in obstetrics.
[Neuroimaging and drug addiction: neuroanatomical correlates of cocaine, opiates, cannabis and ecstasy abuse].

INTRODUCTION Drug abuse is related to neurocognitive alterations linked to the functioning of several areas of the brain. The application of advanced neuroimaging techniques has allowed important advances to be made in research being conducted on why stable disorders are produced in the brain mechanisms responsible for the cognitive processes and on determining exactly what mechanisms drugs of abuse are involved in. AIM. To discuss the evidence available regarding the existence of alterations in the brains of consumers of the most prevalent drugs of abuse in western societies, that is, cocaine, opiates, ecstasy and cannabis. DEVELOPMENT We review the main neuroimaging studies that have detected alterations in the brain structure and functioning of drug abusers. Likewise, we also discuss the findings from functional neuroimaging studies that have analysed patterns of brain activation associated to specific cognitive operations, such as memory or the executive functions. CONCLUSIONS Drug abusers present significant alterations in extensive areas of the cortex (especially in the frontal and temporal cortex), subcortex (amygdala, hippocampus and insular cortex) and basal regions (striatum). These alterations are associated with abnormal patterns of activation during cognitive memory tasks, inhibition and decision-making. Cocaine abusers present more pronounced and generalised alterations in the brain. By combining neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings is has been shown that the motivational, memory and executive control processes can play a key role in rehabilitating drug addicts.
Surprise, Surprise: The Role of Surprising Numerical Feedback in Belief Change

What percentage of U.S. residents is incarcerated? If you now learned the amount and it surprised you, would it be more memorable than if it were not surprising? Our past research documented conceptual changes related to policy issues when one receives a single, critical number. In the present study, Experiment 1 uses a Numerically-Driven Inferencing (NDI) paradigm method in which participants estimated policyrelevant quantities, learned the true quantities, and rated their surprise regarding that feedback. When asked to recall the quantities either eight or 84 days post-feedback, participants improved the most over their original estimates on items that surprised them the most. In Experiment 2, we found that a measure of prospective surprise (“shock”; Ranney, Cheng, Nelson, & Garcia de Osuna, 2001)—derived from an interval in which participants believed the number fell, and participants’ confidence that the number fell in that interval— reliably predicted retrospective surprise ratings like those in Experiment 1. We conclude that surprise is a rather stable construct about which people have considerable metacognition. Future work in this area may suggest how leaders, voters, and consumers can best employ their emotional responses to numbers and enhance cognitive strategies that help shape effective policies.
A Borneo Journey into Death: Berawan Eschatology from Its Rituals

The unusual and symbolically complex funerary rites of the Berawan of central Borneo are here analyzed in the first such full-length study based on modern ethnographic research. Metcalf demonstrates how the ritual sand social organization of death serve as a crucial point of entry into the cosmology of a non-Western culture.
Three-year clinical evaluation of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures using prefabricated pontics.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of surface-retained adhesive composite fixed partial dentures reinforced by an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) fiber (Ribbond THM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-three surface-retained fiber reinforced composite (FRC) fixed partial dentures (FPD) were placed by two operators in 23 patients, each with a single missing tooth. The restorations included prefabricated composite resin pontics, and no preparations were done on the lingual surfaces of the abutment teeth. The patients were recalled for examinations every year for up to 3 years. Restorations were evaluated directly using the modified Ryge criteria. The minimum observation period was 1 year and the maximum observation period was 3 years. RESULTS At baseline, 23 restorations were graded as Alpha for all parameters. At one year and two years (n = 21), three Bravos for wear resistance and surface texture/gingival inflammation and two Bravos for color match were observed. Twenty-one of 23 restorations were retained at the end of two years (91.3%) and 78.3% were retained after a maximum of 3 years. CONCLUSION The results of this clinical study suggestthat UHMWP FRC FPDs are quite acceptable at least forthree years. However, further clinical investigations are still needed for improved long-term clinical performance.
Dietary vitamin E modulates differential gene expression in the rat hippocampus: Potential implications for its neuroprotective properties

Abstract A wide range of cell culture, animal and human epidemiological studies are suggestive of a role of vitamin E (VE) in brain function and in the prevention of neurodegeneration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the current investigation Affymetrix gene chip technology was utilised to establish the impact of chronic VE deficiency on hippocampal genes expression. Male albino rats were fed either a VE deficient or standard diet (60? mg/kg feed) for a period of 9 months. Rats were sacrificed, the hippocampus removed and genes expression established in individual animals. VE deficiency showed to have a strong impact on genes expression in the hippocampus. An important number of genes found to be regulated by VE was associated with hormones and hormone metabolism, nerve growth factor, apoptosis, dopaminergic neurotransmission, and clearance of amyloid-beta and advanced glycated endproducts. In particular, VE strongly affected the expression of an array of genes encoding for proteins directly or indirectly involved in the clearance of amyloid beta, changes which are consistent with a protective effect of VE on Alzheimer's disease progression.
Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for gland images classification

An automatic detection of histopathological images has an important role in helping diagnose step. Even, for determining the status of cancer, benign or malignant A conventional way in cancer detection has infirmity like user dependency, the tendency to the incorrect identification and takes more time. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is one of the deep learning architecture that can accommodate automatic feature extraction and classification directly. The ability of CNN to extract a feature of an image in depth underlie our research. The research aims to classify the two statuses of cancer on gland images using CNN. The training process for six, eight and ten layers exploited on this research. The accuracy obtained up to 82.98, 81.91 and 89.36 percent for six, eight and ten layers respectively. But in the future, we need to improve the computing time.
Natural viral suppressors of HIV-1 have a unique capacity to maintain γδ T cells

Objective:To evaluate Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in a group of HIV-infected patients who suppress HIV replication without antiretroviral therapy (natural viral suppressors, NVSs). Design:It is a cross-sectional study. Methods:We compared Vγ2Vδ2 T-cell frequency, T-cell repertoire, and responses to isopentenyl pyrophosphate stimulation between NVSs (n = 21) and HIV-uninfected controls (n = 27) and between NVSs and HIV-infected patients taking HAART with suppressed viral replication (HIV-P; n = 25). Results:NVSs had a mean frequency of 1.06 ± 0.82% CD3+Vδ2+ cells among total lymphocytes, which was significantly higher than both control groups (HIV-negative: 0.50 ± 0.53%, P = 0.042; HIV-P: 0.34 ± 0.37%, P = 0.002). The proportion of Vγ2 chains correlating with the Vγ2-Jγ1. 2 rearrangement was reduced among NVSs compared with HIV-negative controls (0.57 ± 0.06 vs. 0.32 ± 0.04; P = 0.016) but was increased compared with HIV-P patients (0.32 ± 0.04 vs. 0.22 ± 0.03; P = 0.03). NVSs had a similar baseline frequency of CD27−/CD45RA− effector cells (19.6 ± 4.2%) compared with HIV-negative controls (20.8 ± 12.9%; P = 0.35). Conclusion:The altered γδ T-cell receptor repertoire among NVS was consistent with the known effect of HIV-1 on these cells. Uniquely among all HIV-infected groups, NVS reconstituted the γδ T-cell population, eventually reaching levels significantly above controls. This capacity to recover γδ T-cell numbers and function distinguishes individuals who control HIV-1 with and without HAART.
Risk of retinal detachment after pediatric cataract surgery.

PURPOSE To determine the long-term risk of retinal detachment following pediatric cataract surgery and to identify risk factors for retinal detachment. METHODS We included all children (aged 0 to 17 years) who during the time period of 1977 to 2005 underwent pediatric cataract surgery in Denmark, excluding cataract cases caused by trauma, or acquired systemic or acquired ocular pathology, and cases with ocular anomalies associated with the development of retinal detachment. Cases of cataract were ascertained from the mandatory Danish National Patient Register, and information on retinal detachment was based on medical chart review. RESULTS Among 1043 eyes of 656 children undergoing surgery for pediatric cataract, 25 eyes (23 children) developed retinal detachment at a median time of 9.1 years after surgery. The overall 20-year risk of retinal detachment was 7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3%-11%) among cataract patients. In otherwise normal children having isolated cataract, the risk was 3% (95% CI: 0%-7%). A significantly higher risk of developing retinal detachment was found in children with mental retardation (23% [95% CI: 9%-35%]) or in cataract cases with other ocular or systemic anomalies (16% [95% CI: 6%-24%]). CONCLUSIONS The estimated overall risk of retinal detachment 20 years after pediatric cataract surgery was 7%, but only 3% for isolated cataract. Particularly high risks of retinal detachment after cataract surgery were associated with mental retardation and having other ocular or systemic diseases.
Relationship of Incremental Specimen Volumes and Enhanced Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 RNA with Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology

ABSTRACT The relationship between specimen input volume and the frequency of reported human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA copy numbers by nucleic acid amplification technology (the NASBA HIV-1 RNA QT system) was investigated. Results obtained with both clinical specimens and dilution panels indicated that both the absolute number of reported results and the reported HIV-1 RNA copy number were directly proportional to the specimen input volumes evaluated (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 ml). Conversion of the reported HIV-1 RNA copy numbers to a constant 1.0-ml volume indicated that the numerical relationship among the specimen input volumes and the HIV-1 RNA copy numbers was multiplicative. The HIV-1 RNA copy numbers reported for the 0.5-ml input volume were approximately 5-fold increased over those reported for the 0.1-ml input volume, and those reported for the 1.0-ml input volume were 10-fold increased over those reported for the 0.1-ml input volume. For the specimen input volumes investigated, a common linear range of 264 to 5,400,000 HIV-1 RNA copies was observed. The use of increased specimen input volumes did not result in a loss of assay specificity, as the results reported for specimens from 50 seronegative blood donors were negative at all three specimen input volumes. In conclusion, an increase in the input volume of specimens analyzed by nucleic acid amplification technology can be useful for the enhanced detection of HIV-1 RNA.
IL-18-Binding Protein Expression by Endothelial Cells and Macrophages Is Up-Regulated During Active Crohn’s Disease1

The pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) remains under intense investigation. Increasing evidence suggests a role for mature IL-18 in the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and Th1 polarization in CD lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of the IL-18-neutralizing (a and c) and non-neutralizing (b and d) isoforms of IL-18-binding protein (IL-18BP) during active CD. Intestinal endothelial cells and macrophages were the major source of IL-18BP within the submucosa, and this IL-18BP production was also found to be relevant to other types of endothelial cells (HUVEC) and macrophages (peripheral monocytes). IL-18BP messenger transcript and protein were significantly increased in surgically resected specimens from active CD compared with control patients, correlating with an up-regulation of IL-18. Analysis of the expression of the four IL-18BP isoforms as well as being free or bound to IL-18 was reported and revealed that unbound IL-18BP isoforms a and c and inactive isoform d were present in specimens from active CD and control patients while isoform b was not detected. IL-18/IL-18BP complex was also detected. Interestingly, although most was complexed, free mature IL-18 could still be detected in active CD specimens even in the presence of the IL-18BP isoform a/c. These results demonstrate that the appropriate neutralizing isoforms are present in the intestinal tissue of patients with active CD and highlights the complexity of IL-18/IL-18BP biology.