Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Broadbeam Cross-Dipole Antenna for GPS Applications

A broadbeam cross-dipole antenna with improved low-elevation gain for global positioning system (GPS) applications is reported. The cross-dipole consists of two perpendicular dipoles, which are printed on two separate substrates that are vertically placed inside a cylindrical back cavity. Circularly polarized fields are generated by applying two quadrature signals with equal amplitude to the dipoles. To enhance the low-elevation gain, circular dipoles, curved ground planes, and corrugated back cavity are deployed in our design. A prototype operating in GPS L1 band (1.575 GHz) was designed with ANSYS HFSS, and measurement was done to verify the simulations. The reflection coefficient, axial ratio (AR), radiation pattern, antenna gain, and antenna efficiency are studied. It is found that the antenna has a wide 3 dB AR beamwidth of over 230° and a 3 dB gain beamwidth of 150°. The measured and simulated antenna gains at $\theta = 85^{\circ }$ are 0.11 and 0.68 dBic, respectively, which are higher than those of existing designs.
Synchronous Bimanual Movements Performed by Homologous and Non-Homologous Muscles

Synchrony of bimanual wrist movements by 12 normal Ss was compared when homologous muscles (e.g., left and right wrist flexors) and when non-homologous muscles (e.g., left flexors and right extensors) were simultaneously active. Movements of the two limbs were less synchronous and more variable in the non-homologous condition. These data imply the existence of an unitary coupling mechanism which facilitates simultaneous action of homologous muscles of the upper limbs.
Retention in the endoplasmic reticulum as a mechanism of dominant-negative current suppression in human long QT syndrome.

Mutations in the cardiac potassium channel HERG (KCNH2) cause chromosome 7-linked long QT syndrome (LQT2) characterized by a prolonged QT interval, recurrent syncope and sudden cardiac death. Most mutations in HERG exhibit "loss of function" phenotypes with defective channels either inserted into the plasma membrane or retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. "Loss of function" mutations reduce I(Kr), the cardiac delayed rectifier current encoded by HERG, due to haploinsufficiency or suppression of wild-type function by a dominant-negative mechanism. One explanation for dominant-negative current suppression is that mutant subunits render tetrameric channel complexes non-conducting on co-assembly. In the present paper we describe an alternative mechanism for this phenomenon. We show (1) that the dominant-negative HERG mutation A561V is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and (2) that wild-type channels are tagged for retention in the ER by co-assembly with trafficking deficient A561V subunits. Thus, in HERG A561V dominant-negative suppression of wild-type function is the result of an acquired trafficking defect.
Ultrasound findings in HIV-positive patients with parotid gland swellings.

PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the role that ultrasound might play in evaluating parotid swellings in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS The parotid glands of 13 HIV-positive patients, who were previously diagnosed as seropositive and who were referred because they had unilateral or bilateral parotid gland swellings, were examined sonographically. RESULTS All patients showed multiple and varied parotid sonolucent areas bilaterally. These patterns reflected the presence of lymphoepithelial cysts, intraparotid lymphadenopathies, and parenchymal lymphoproliferation. CONCLUSION Because parotid swellings can represent early clinical evidence of HIV disease, comprehensive gland evaluation is mandatory. Ultrasound offers a simple, rapid imaging technique to ascertain the nature of the glandular pathology.
Activity staining on polyacrylamide gels of trypsin inhibitors from leaves of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) varieties

The failure of activity staining of trypsin inhibitors in crude leaf extracts of sweet potatoe varieties including Tainong 27, Tainong 34, and Tainong 57 on a 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) gel was prevented by dipping the gels in solutions containing 10–40 mM hydrogen peroxide, 10 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.9) for 30 min before staining.
Laparoscopic and robotic assisted laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery in gynecologic oncology

Advanced laparoscopic procedures are increasingly being used as an alternative to laparotomy in gynecologic oncological surgery. The benefits of advanced laparoscopic procedures compared with laparotomy are clear, including decreased pain, decreased surgical site infection rate, decreased length of stay, quicker return to activity and cosmesis. Recently, the da Vinci robotic system (Intuitive Surgical Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA) has been introduced into minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. The robotic surgical system is an innovative technology that addresses the many of the current limitations of conventional laparoscopy. However, laparoscopic gynecologic oncological surgery is associated with unique challenges and complications compared with the open gynecologic oncological surgery. Principally, this new technique has to address two questions: is the laparoscopic approach a safe procedure and are the oncological results equal to standard surgery? We discuss in this chapter the laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery in gynecologic oncology (uterine and ovarian tumors) and the recent experience and feasibility of integrating robot-assisted technology into minimally invasive gynecologic oncological surgery. Correspondence/Reprint request: Dr. Frédéric Marchal, Department of surgical oncology, CRAN, NancyUniversité, CNRS, Centre Alexis Vautrin, Avenue de Bourgogne, 54511, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France E-mail: f.marchal@nancy.fnclcc. fr Frédéric Marchal et al. 214
Aging and drug interactions. I. Effect of cimetidine and smoking on the oxidation of theophylline and cortisol in healthy men.

The effect of age on the inhibition of theophylline metabolism was investigated in young and old male cigarette smokers (greater than 20 cigarettes/day) and nonsmokers by stable isotope methodology. Subjects received oral theophylline (510 mg/day) for 14 days and cimetidine (1200 mg/day) during days 1 to 7 or 8 to 14. On days 7 and 14, a tracer dose (10 mg i.v.) of stable isotope-labeled theophylline was administered with the oral dose of theophylline. Plasma clearance in old nonsmokers was 33% less than in young nonsmokers. Values in both young and old smokers were not significantly different but exceeded those in non-smokers. Because volume of distribution was similar in all groups, the half-lives were prolonged in proportion to the decrease in clearance. Although smoking was associated with selective induction of the formation of 3-methylxanthine and 1-methyluric acid, the effect of cimetidine was nonselective and the proportionate inhibitory effects of cimetidine on theophylline metabolism did not differ with age or smoking status. The excretion of 6 beta-hydroxycortisol was similar in smokers and non-smokers but was slightly inhibited by cimetidine. Cimetidine also reduced the interindividual variation in the absorption of theophylline. Despite a reduction in the basal oxidative capacity in healthy male nonsmokers, these results indicate that both the induction of theophylline metabolism by smoking and the inhibition of theophylline metabolism by cimetidine are preserved in old age.
Dexmedetomidine use in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit: Can we use it in infants after cardiac surgery?

Objective: To assess clinical response of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with conventional sedatives/analgesics after cardiac surgery. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Patients: Infants and neonates after cardiac surgery. Measurements and Main Results: We identified 80 patients including 14 neonates, at mean age and weight of 4.1 ± 3.1 months and 5.5 ± 2 kg, respectively, who received dexmedetomidine for 25 ± 13 hours at an average dose of 0.66 ± 0.26 &mgr;g·kg−1·hr−1. Overall normal sleep to moderate sedation was documented 94% of the time and no pain to mild pain for 90%. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased from 89 ± 15 mm Hg to 85 ± 11 mm Hg (p = .05), heart rate (HR) from 149 ± 22 bpm to 129 ± 16 bpm (p < .001), and respiratory rate (RR) remained unchanged. When baseline arterial blood gases were compared with the most abnormal values, pH decreased from 7.4 ± 0.07 to 7.37 ± 0.05 (p = .006), Po2 from 91 ± 67 mm Hg to 66 ± 29 mm Hg (p = .005), and CO2 increased from 45 ± 8 mm Hg to 50 ± 12 mm Hg (p = .001). At the beginning of the study, 37 patients (46%) were mechanically ventilated; and at 48 hours, 13 patients (16%) were still intubated and five patients failed extubation. Three groups of patients were identified: A, dexmedetomidine only (n = 20); B, dexmedetomidine with sedatives/analgesics (n = 38); and C, dexmedetomidine with both sedatives/analgesics and fentanyl infusion (n = 22). The doses of dexmedetomidine and rescue sedatives/analgesics were not significantly different among the three groups but duration of dexmedetomidine was longer in group C vs. A (p = .03) and C vs. B (p = .002). Pain, sedation, SBP, RR, and arterial blood gases were similar. HR was higher in group C vs. B (p = .01). Comparison between neonates and infants showed that infants required higher dexmedetomidine doses, 0.69 ± 25 &mgr;g·kg−1·hr−1, and vs. 0.47 ± 21 &mgr;g·kg−1·hr−1 (p = .003) and had lower HR (p = .01), and RR (p = .009), and higher SBP (p < .001). Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine use in infants and neonates after cardiac surgery was well tolerated in both intubated and nonintubated patients. It provides an adequate level of sedation/analgesia either alone or in combination with low-dose conventional agents.
A Plant-Like Kinase in Plasmodium falciparum Regulates Parasite Egress from Erythrocytes

It's a Knockout The malaria parasite is one of the most important pathogens of humans. Increasing drug-resistance is an imminent public health disaster, and we urgently need to find new drugs. The recently acquired malarial genomes provide a plethora of targets. However, due to the genetic intractability of the parasite, it has been difficult to identify essential genes in the clinically relevant blood-stage of the parasite. Dvorin et al. (p. 910) investigated the function of a Plasmodium falciparum plant-like calcium-dependent protein kinase, PfCDPK5, which is expressed in the invasive blood-stage forms of the parasite. A system for conditional protein expression allowed the production of a functional knockout in the bloodstream stage of the parasite. PfCDPK5 was required for parasite egress from the human host erythrocyte, an essential step in the parasite life cycle. A calcium-dependent protein kinase is essential for blood-stage proliferation of the human malaria parasite. Clinical malaria is associated with the proliferation of Plasmodium parasites in human erythrocytes. The coordinated processes of parasite egress from and invasion into erythrocytes are rapid and tightly regulated. We have found that the plant-like calcium-dependent protein kinase PfCDPK5, which is expressed in invasive merozoite forms of Plasmodium falciparum, was critical for egress. Parasites deficient in PfCDPK5 arrested as mature schizonts with intact membranes, despite normal maturation of egress proteases and invasion ligands. Merozoites physically released from stalled schizonts were capable of invading new erythrocytes, separating the pathways of egress and invasion. The arrest was downstream of cyclic guanosine monophosphate–dependent protein kinase (PfPKG) function and independent of protease processing. Thus, PfCDPK5 plays an essential role during the blood stage of malaria replication.
Variability of Worked Examples and Transfer of Geometrical Problem-Solving Skills: A Cognitive-Load Approach

Four computer-based training strategies for geometrical problem solving in the domain of computer numerically controlled machinery programming were studied with regard to their effects on training performance, transfer performance, and cognitive load. A low- and a high-variability conventional condition, in which conventional practice problems had to be solved (followed by worked examples), were compared with a low- and a high-variability worked condition, in which worked examples had to be studied. Results showed that students who studied worked examples gained most from high-variability examples, invested less time and mental effort in practice, and attained better and less effort-demanding transfer performance than students who first attempted to solve conventional problems and then studied work examples.
Insomnia and sleep deficiency in pregnancy

Insomnia and sleep deficiency in pregnancy are very common with most women reporting sleep disturbances during pregnancy. Insomnia and sleep deficiency are also more prevalent as pregnancy progresses, possibly related to pregnancy-related physical symptoms or discomfort. There is increasing evidence indicating that these sleep problems may be associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes such as depressive symptoms, increased pain during labor, more Caesarean sections, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Treatment of insomnia remains challenging as some of the more commonly used sleep inducing medications such as benzodiazepines and hypnotic benzodiazepine receptor agonists may be associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Nonpharmacological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy are available but the data in pregnancy is often lacking.
Führungsverhalten und Führungserfolg : Beitrag zu einer Theorie der Führung am Beispiel des Musiktheaters

Kunstlerische Produktion im Musiktheater - Fuhrungserfolg im Musiktheater: kunstlerische Qualitat - Vergleich der Randbedingungen der Fuhrung in Musiktheater und Forschung - Zur Qualitat des direktiven Fuhrungsverhaltens im Musiktheater
Approximal caries development following intensive fluoride mouthrinsing in teenagers. A 3-year radiographic study.

Caries development on approximal surfaces was studied in 139 adolescents for a period of 3 yr. A test group was randomly sampled (n=69) and subjected to a new intensive mode of fluoride (F) mouthrinsings using 10 ml of 0.045% NaF neutral solution once a day for 3 d, twice a year in all, i.e., 6 rinses per year. A control group (n = 70) rinsed in a similar mode using fluoride-free tap water. The two groups received the same basic prophylactic program during the trial. Detection of approximal caries lesions and fillings was based on bitewing radiographs at baseline and after 3 yr. The test group developed an average of 2.75 + 4.76 (mean +/- SD) approximal DFS compared with 3.21 + 4.74 DFS in the control group (n.s.). However, among those teenagers who were caries free (DFS = 0) at baseline, the incidence of approximal carious and filled surfaces was 1.76+/-4.52 in the F-rinsing group (n = 26) compared with 2.76+/-5.01 DFS in the control group (n = 32), a 36% caries reduction which was statistically significant. The intensified mouthrinsing procedure seems to be a promising prophylactic mode for collective caries prevention.
The Influence of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide on the Thermoregulation of the Box Turtle Terrapene carolina

Ectotherms can adjust their thermoregulatory set points in response to bacterial infection; the result may be similar to endothermic fever. We examined the influence of dose on the set point of body temperature (Tb) in Terrapene carolina. After acclimating postprandial turtles to 20°C, we injected them with two doses of bacterial endotoxin (LPS; lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli), 0.0025 or 0.025 mg LPS/g nonshell body mass, or with reptilian saline (control group). We placed the animals singly in linear thigmothermal gradients and recorded their Tb's for 48 h. The turtles showed dose‐influenced thermal selection. Turtles injected with the high dose had Tb's significantly higher than control turtles, whereas low‐dose turtles had Tb's significantly lower than control turtles. Also, there was a low daily effect on the Tb of the turtles injected with the high dose. High‐dose turtles had significantly higher Tb's than the control turtles during the first day but not during the second. Our results support the prediction of Romanovsky and Székely that an infectious agent may elicit opposite thermoregulatory responses depending on quality and quantity of the agent and the host health status.
Adaptive space-time transmission with side information

In this paper, a simple adaptive transmit diversity technique with side information is presented. The proposed scheme has a number of attractive characteristics. First, it is simple to implement. Second, it is efficient in terms of bandwidth requirements for side information feedback. Finally, it adapts to the availability and quality of the side information to accordingly configure the space-time signal set to be transmitted so that the gain in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be optimized at the receiver. In effect, it can be viewed as a flexible combination of suboptimal beamforming and space-time block coding (STBC).
In situ evidence of JC virus control by CD8+ T cells in PML-IRIS during HIV infection

Objective: To determine the pathophysiologic features of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (PML-IRIS) in HIV-infected patients. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we retrospectively analyzed 11 HIV-infected patients with a firm diagnosis of PML-IRIS. Brain biopsies were collected from 5 patients and their histopathologic features were compared to those of 4 HIV-infected patients with classic PML. Results: PML-IRIS developed soon after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in late-presenting HIV-infected patients. The lesions from the 5 biopsied PML-IRIS patients were characterized by a reduction in the density of JC virus (JCV)–infected cells when compared to the 4 patients with PML (11.1 ± 3.2/mm2 vs 51.2 ± 4.3/mm2, p = 0.01). Comparing the 5 patients with PML-IRIS vs the 4 patients with PML, this correlated with an increased accumulation of CD8+ T cells (818.2 ± 192.8/mm2 vs 52.5 ± 10.6/mm2, p = 0.01), CD20+ B cells (33.4 ± 13.5/mm2 vs 0.5 ± 0.5/mm2, p = 0.01), and CD138+ plasma cells (177 ± 84.1/mm2 vs 0.25 ± 0.25/mm2, p = 0.01), while the number of CD68+ macrophages/microglia did not differ. The ratio between CD8+ T cells and JCV-infected cells was 70 times higher in the 5 patients with PML-IRIS. These findings indicate a clear relationship between an enhanced recruitment of CD8+ T cells and the associated control of the JCV infection. Conclusions: Our data provide in situ evidence that PML-IRIS brain lesions are enriched in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells that engage JCV-infected oligodendrocytes. This leads to a better control of JCV dissemination, but at the cost of oligodendrocyte cell death and demyelination.
Sunlight-induced growth delay of planktonic marine bacteria in filtered seawater

The growth of natural populations of planktonic manne bacter~a was observed upon exposure to natural sunhght In Narragansett Bay seawater with most of the phototrophic and bactenagrazing nanoflagellates removed by filtrabon, a shght increase in bactenal populahons began after 24 to 36 h in the dark In populabons exposed to sunlight, growth was delayed further Dilutmg the bactena-dom~nated size frachon (< 0 6 pm) with 0 2 pm filtered seawater resulted in a shorter lag penod and more rapid growth than unrllluted filtrates Sunlight caused a s ~ g n ~ f ~ c a n t le gthening of the lag penod but did not affect the exponenbal growth rate suggesbng that the bacteria were susceptible to sunhght whlle undergo~ng protein synthesis pnor to euponenhal growth Use of spectral fllters indicated that the growth delay was pnmanly due to UV-A wavelengths (320 to 400 nm) These results are analogous to sunl~ght effects on bacteria observed in pure culture experiments Use of neutral density fdters ~ndicated that the effect was pronounced at 50 and 25"L of surface sunlight and detectable at 16 O/O Photo~nhib~tion of bactenal activities could be a signif~cant factor in the d ~ e l cychng of organic matter nutr~ents and reactlve gases m the euphot~c zone of the oceans
Nutritional status of the older adult is associated with dentition status.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to examine associations between the number of posterior occlusal pairs of teeth and the nutritional status of older adults participating in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) survey. DESIGN Impaired dentition was assessed by number of posterior occluding pairs of teeth (grinding teeth, n=8 pairs) and complete denture status. Nutritional status was measured by nutrient intake, Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score, serum values, and body mass index (BMI). Subjects/setting Data from 5,958 participants in NHANES III ages 50 years and over with dental examination were included in the analysis. Statistical analyses performed Analysis of covariance and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between number of tooth pairs and nutritional status indicators controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS Compared with individuals with five to eight posterior occluding pairs (HEI=68.2), those with impaired dentition (no posterior pairs, one to four pairs remaining, or full dentures) had consistently lower HEI scores (HEI=64.3, 66.5, and 66.5, respectively), consumed fewer servings of fruits, and had lower serum values of beta carotene and ascorbic acid. Participants with one to four posterior pairs also had a higher mean BMI (28.0) than those with five or more pairs (27.2). Participants in one or more groups with impaired dentition had lower dietary intake levels of vitamin A, carotene, folic acid, and vitamin C, and scored less well on diet variety, cholesterol, and sodium components of the HEI. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS Results show that dental health is closely associated with nutritional status and suggest that status of dentition should be considered in nutritional counseling and assessment of older adults.
The Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway Selectively Controls sIL-1RA Not Interleukin-1β Production in the Septic Leukocytes*

Microbial components such as bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can trigger highly lethal septic shock. The cardinal features of septic leukocytes include the repressed production of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and elevated production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as secretory interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1RA). Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene transcriptions are equally repressed in septic leukocytes due to disruption of the LPS signaling pathway at the level of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase. The selective elevation of sIL-1RA protein in septic blood is caused by efficient translation of residual sIL-1RA message. In this study, we report that the LPS-inducible phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)-dependent signaling pathway contributes to the elevated translation of sIL-1RA in septic/LPS-adapted leukocytes. We also observe that this pathway is gene specific and does not affect the production of proinflammatory IL-1β protein.