Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and fabrication of annular arrays for high-frequency ultrasound

The design, fabrication, and performance of miniature high-frequency annular arrays are described. A 50-MHz, 2-mm-diameter, 7-element, equal-area annular array was fabricated and tested. The array elements were defined using photolithography and the electrical contacts were made using ultrasonic wire bonding. The resulting transducer produced pulses with a -6 dB bandwidth of 52% and an insertion loss of -16 dB. A radiation pattern was collected by scanning the transducer array above the tip of a glass fiber. A -6 dB two-way beam width of 75 microns was found at f/2. The radiation pattern decreased smoothly to less than -60 dB at a distance of 550 microns.
The Long-term Clinical Sequelae of Incidental Durotomy in Lumbar Disc Surgery

Study Design. A retrospective, long-term follow-up study. Objectives. To find out whether incidental durotomy in lumbar disc surgery is associated with long-term sequelae. Summary of Background Data. Incidental durotomy is a frequent complication during spinal surgery. Little is known about the clinical long-term outcome. Methods. The study population comprised 1,280 patients who underwent standard discectomy of a lumbar disc herniation. A total of 41 patients with incidental durotomies (Group A) were compared with a control group (n = 41) (Group B) matched for age, sex, spinal level, and duration of follow-up. After a mean follow-up period of 10.2 years (Group A) or 10.3 years (Group B), the patients reported complaints, headache, and low back or leg pain. The patients’ activity was assessed by means of a questionnaire concerning hindrance in daily activities, the Tegner score for general activities in daily life, and the Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire for Measuring Back Pain-Related Functional Limitations (FFbH–R). The frequency of reoperation and the intake of analgesics were included. Furthermore, the patients’ inability to work, change of profession, and retirement were registered. Results. Patients with incidental durotomy had a poorer outcome after surgery. The Tegner score was significantly decreased for the group with dural tears. Furthermore, significant more patients with incidental durotomy complained about headaches after surgery. A strong tendency for worse outcome in Group A was shown in regard to reported complaints and daily activity. The patients with incidental durotomy had a tendency to more reoperations, a longer duration of inability to work, more back-pain, and functional limitations related to back-pain (FFbH-R). Conclusion. Our study revealed that incidental durotomy in lumbar disc surgery was associated with long-term clinical sequelae. We therefore conclude that dural tears bring about poor clinical outcome at the long-term follow-up.
A qualitative case study of telehealth for in-home monitoring to support the management of type 2 diabetes

The present study formed part of a randomised controlled trial of telehealth for in-home monitoring to support people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. We explored the experiences of patients and healthcare practitioners, and their perceptions of the telehealth model of care used in the trial. In addition to their usual diabetes care, participants receive diabetes care from a diabetes educator nurse via an in-home broadband communication device. On average, each patient participated in 14 videoconferences with a diabetes care coordinator during the 12-month trial period. Qualitative data was collected from two general practices and included semi-structured interviews and document review of patient clinical notes. A total of 12 people were interviewed: 8 health practitioners and 4 patients. Patients and health practitioners expressed a high level of satisfaction with the model of care provided. Patients also reported positive health and social outcomes as a result of being involved in the trial and indicated that in the main they had achieved their goals and were happy with their progress over the 12-month period. Analysis of interviews revealed three broad elements associated with the implementation of telehealth: interpersonal factors, operational problems and the wider health system context within which the general practices and trial team were operating. The findings suggest that adopting telehealth in the management of type 2 diabetes can lead to improved diabetes control, but more support is required to ensure sustainability and widespread implementation.
An analytical method for computing voxel S values for electrons and photons.

PURPOSE The use of voxel S values (VSVs) is perhaps the most common approach to radiation dosimetry for nonuniform distributions of activity within organs or tumors. However, VSVs are currently available only for a limited number of voxel sizes and radionuclides. The objective of this study was to develop a general method to evaluate them for any spectrum of electrons and photons in any cubic voxel dimension of practical interest for clinical dosimetry in targeted radionuclide therapy. METHODS The authors developed a Monte Carlo simulation in Geant4 in order to evaluate the energy deposited per disintegration (E(dep)) in a voxelized region of soft tissue from monoenergetic electrons (10-2000 keV) or photons (10-1000 keV) homogeneously distributed in the central voxel, considering voxel dimensions ranging from 3 mm to 10 mm. E(dep) was represented as a function of a dimensionless quantity termed the "normalized radius," R(n) = R∕l, where l is the voxel size and R is the distance from the origin. The authors introduced two parametric functions in order to fit the electron and photon results, and they interpolated the parameters to derive VSVs for any energy and voxel side within the ranges mentioned above. In order to validate the results, the authors determined VSV for two radionuclides ((131)I and (89)Sr) and two voxel dimensions and they compared them with reference data. A validation study in a simple sphere model, accounting for tissue inhomogeneities, is presented. RESULTS The E(dep)(R(n)) for both monoenergetic electrons and photons exhibit a smooth variation with energy and voxel size, implying that VSVs for monoenergetic electrons or photons may be derived by interpolation over the range of energies and dimensions considered. By integration, S values for continuous emission spectra from β(-) decay may be derived as well. CONCLUSIONS The approach allows the determination of VSVs for monoenergetic (Auger or conversion) electrons and (x-ray or gamma-ray) photons by means of two functions whose parameters can be interpolated from tabular data provided. Through integration, it is possible to generalize the method to any continuous (beta) spectrum, allowing to calculate VSVs for any electron and photon emitter in a voxelized structure.
Teachers as agents of change: a case study of action research for school improvement in Egypt

APA Citation Kostandy, M. V. (2013). Teachers as agents of change: a case study of action research for school improvement in Egypt [Master's Thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/1432 MLA Citation Kostandy, Mary Victor. Teachers as agents of change: a case study of action research for school improvement in Egypt. 2013. American University in Cairo, Master's Thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/1432
Effect of solid state fermentation with Trichoderma spp. on phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of mature Assam tea leaves

In this study, the mature leaves of Assam tea which were considered as waste were used as substrate for solid state fermentation. The effects of solid state fermentation on phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of Assam tea leaves using 4 different Trichoderma spp. including Trichoderma harzianum CB-Pin-01, Trichoderma sp. NTY 211, Trichoderma sp. PSUT 001 and Trichoderma sp. PSUT 002 were explored. The Assam tea leaves were fermented in erlenmeyer flask by inoculum with the spore suspension and incubated at 30 ° C for 7 days, while a non-inoculum condition was served as unfermented sample. The unfermented and fermented tea leaves were further extracted with different solvents including water, 95% ethanol, 50% ethanol, 95% acetone and 50% acetone. The result revealed that the color shade and intensity of fermented tea leaves extracts were changed by types of fungi and solvents used. Evaluation of phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacities demonstrated that the highest phenolic (221.95±39.79 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid (206.17±3.33 mg QE/g extract) contents were significantly represented in unfermented tea extract prepared by 95% acetone. In addition, It also gave the highest IC 50 of 13.74 ± 0.22 and 5.76 ± 0.10 µg/ml which were assayed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, respectively, while the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value was represented in 50% acetone extract. On the other hand, fermentation of Assam tea leaves dramatically decreased phenolic and flavonoid content as well as antioxidant capacities. In all Trichoderma spp. tested, the isolate NTY 211 seemed to mostly retain phenolic and flavonoid contents of 125.71 ± 3.61 mg GAE/g extract and 126.64 ± 3.14 mg QE/g extract, whereas IC 50 values assayed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were equal to 27.98 ± 0.17 and 11.05 ± 0.11 µg/ml, respectively. This indicates that solid state fermentation by Trichoderma spp. had an effect on reduction of phen
Cisplatin-Based Radiochemotherapy Improves the Negative Prognosis of c-erbB-2 Overexpressing Advanced Cervical Cancer

Objectives: To determine the impact of c-erb-B2 overexpression on disease-free survival (DFS) and local relapse in patients with advanced cervical cancer (CC) receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy treatment. Methods: A total of 136 patients with advanced CC (FIGO stage: IB2-IIA [12]; IIB [34]; IIIB [71]; IVA [19]; including both epidermoid [86] and adenocarcinoma [14]) were analyzed to determine c-erb-B2 levels by immunohistochemistry (c-erb-B2 antibody; Dako, Glostrup, Denmark). Only c-erb-B2+++ biopsies were considered positive. All patients received pelvic radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and concurrent chemotherapy with 2 different regimens: 48 patients were treated with tegafur (800 mg/d orally) and 88 with tegafur (same doses) plus 5 cycles of weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2/wk intravenously. Results: A total of 32 (23.5%) biopsies were considered c-erb-B2-positive. Three-year and 5-year DFS were 61% and 58% for c-erb-B2-negative patients and 36% and 36% for c-erB2-positive patients, respectively (P = 0.02). Patients were stratified in 4 groups according to their c-erb-B2 status and whether they received cisplatin. The group of patients with c-erb-B2 overexpression that did not receive platinum treatment had a higher rate of pelvic relapse (P < 0.0001), associated with a decreased DFS (P = 0.0014). Conclusions: c-erb-B2 overexpression may imply a poor prognosis for patients with advanced CC. Treatment with cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy improved outcome in these patients.
Breakdown Voltage Prediction of Ultra-Thin Gate Insulator in Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Based on Anode Hole Injection Model

A prediction model for the breakdown voltage of ultra-thin gate insulator in electrostatic discharge (ESD) is proposed. The time-dependent-dielectric-breakdown characteristics under DC stress successfully predicts ESD oriented dielectric breakdown on the basis of the modified anode hole injection model. The proposed model redistributes experimental breakdown voltages and number of pulses to breakdown in extensive gate voltages and gate insulator thicknesses. In conclusion, the present model is quite effective for the prediction of ESD reliability in highly scaled ULSI devices
Network analysis reveals strongly localized impacts of El Niño

Significance El Niño, one of the strongest climatic phenomena on interannual time scales, affects the climate system and is associated with natural disasters and serious social conflicts. Here, using network theory, we construct a directed and weighted climate network to study the global impacts of El Niño and La Niña. The constructed climate network enables the identification of the regions that are most drastically affected by specific El Niño/La Niña events. Our analysis indicates that the effect of the El Niño basin on worldwide regions is more localized and stronger during El Niño events compared with normal times. Climatic conditions influence the culture and economy of societies and the performance of economies. Specifically, El Niño as an extreme climate event is known to have notable effects on health, agriculture, industry, and conflict. Here, we construct directed and weighted climate networks based on near-surface air temperature to investigate the global impacts of El Niño and La Niña. We find that regions that are characterized by higher positive/negative network “in”-weighted links are exhibiting stronger correlations with the El Niño basin and are warmer/cooler during El Niño/La Niña periods. In contrast to non-El Niño periods, these stronger in-weighted activities are found to be concentrated in very localized areas, whereas a large fraction of the globe is not influenced by the events. The regions of localized activity vary from one El Niño (La Niña) event to another; still, some El Niño (La Niña) events are more similar to each other. We quantify this similarity using network community structure. The results and methodology reported here may be used to improve the understanding and prediction of El Niño/La Niña events and also may be applied in the investigation of other climate variables.
Reevaluation of the Roles of ABCG2 in the Disposition of Genistein

The purpose of this letter is to clarify some assessments in the article by Yang et al. (2012), in which they questioned the credibility of a conclusion in our recently published article (Alvarez et al., 2011). Yang et al. (2012) did provide a new insight, according to which increased exposure of aglycone in Bcrp1(−/−) might arise from the hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates. However, they additionally claimed that “this is very different from the current understanding that an increased level of aglycone comes directly from impaired aglycone efflux in Bcrp1(−/−) mice (Alvarez et al., 2011). ” They also stated that “Alvarez et al. (2011) further proposed that improved bioavailability of genistein glucuronides and sulfates could be explained by increased exposure level of genistein aglycone to UGTs and SULTs in Bcrp1 knockout mice. ” In this regard, we mentioned in our Short Communication (Alvarez et al., 2011) that an “impaired Bcrp-mediated efflux of genistein and daidzein could increase their exposure to UGT and SULT, and eventually produce greater amounts of metabolites,” simply as a potential additional factor for explaining the increased levels of genistein and its conjugates in Bcrp1(−/−), but we never proposed it as the main cause. We would like to mention that the role of Bcrp1 in genistein absorption was not known when our manuscript was written, and our assessment should thus be considered as a possibility that was open at that moment. Unfortunately, Yang et al. (2012) seem to have overstated the case. Their article is the first demonstration of the absence of the involvement of Bcrp1 in the intestinal absorption of genistein. In agreement with Yang et al. (2012), our article (Alvarez et al., 2011) also included references to a possible direct effect of Bcrp1 on the increased levels of the conjugates in Bcrp1(−/−) mice, since we stated in the discussion that “our results indicated a direct and conclusive Bcrp1 efflux action on phase II metabolites of these isoflavones in vivo, and suggested a possible novel concept for ABCG2/BCRP as part of a metabolism-driven efflux transport of these conjugates. ” Thus, the title of the article by Yang et al. (2012), which involves a clear allusion to our study, seems to be excessive. In brief, it is erroneous to read the final conclusion in our article as being that enhanced exposure to systemic metabolites in Bcrp1(−/−) can be attributed to increased intestinal absorption of genistein.
The interaction of perceived control and Gambler's fallacy in risky decision making: An fMRI study

Limited recent evidence implicates the anterior/posterior cingulate (ACC/PCC) and lateral prefrontal networks as the neural substrates of risky decision‐making biases such as illusions of control (IoC) and gambler's fallacy (GF). However, investigation is lacking on the dynamic interactive effect of those biases during decision making. Employing a card‐guessing game that independently manipulates trial‐by‐trial perceived control and gamble outcome among 29 healthy female participants, we observed both IoC‐ and GF‐type behaviors, as well as an interactive effect of previous control and previous outcome, with GF‐type behaviors only following computer‐selected, but not self‐selected, outcomes. Imaging results implicated the ACC and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in agency processing, and the cerebellum and right DLPFC in previous outcome processing, in accordance with past literature. Critically, the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL) exhibited significant betting‐related activities to the interaction of previous control and previous outcome, showing more positive signals to previous computer‐selected winning versus losing outcomes but the reverse pattern following self‐selected outcomes, as well as responding to the interactive effect of control and outcome during feedback. Associations were also found between participants' behavioral sensitivity to the interactive effect of previous control and previous outcome, and right IPL signals, as well as its functional connectivity with neural networks implicated in agency and previous outcome processing. We propose that the right IPL provides the neural substrate for the interaction of perceived control and GF, through coordinating activities in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices and working conjunctively with lateral PFC and other parietal networks. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1218–1234, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Penicillin susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in a private pediatric hospital in Houston, Texas

Of 493 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 14 were found to have decreased penicillin susceptibility as determined by the oxacillin disk test. Of these 14 isolates, 4 were relatively resistant by quantitative susceptibility studies and 1 was penicillin resistant (MIC, 2 micrograms/ml). This is the first confirmed penicillin-resistant isolate in the Houston, Tex. , area.
DETERMINANTS OF ORI001 TYPE GOVERNMENT BOND

The need to build a strong bond market is amenable, especially after the 1997 crises. This paper analyzes the influence of deposit interest rate, foreign exchange rates, and Composite Stock Price Index on yield-to-maturity of Bond Series Retail ORI001, employing monthly data from Bloomberg information service, 2006(8) to 2008(12), using Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity type models. It finds the evidence that deposit interest rate and exchange rate have positive significant influence on the bond, and that stock index has a negative significant influence on the bond. It also finds that Deposit Interest Rate, exchange rate, and the stock index significantly influence the bond altogether. Keywords: Interest rate, exchange rate, composite stock price index, yield-to-maturity, bond JEL classification numbers: G12, G15
Genome-wide analysis of the Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P. Beauv. Hsp90 gene family reveals molecular evolution and expression profiling under drought and salt stresses

The structure, evolution, and function of heat shock proteins 90 (Hsp90s) have been investigated in great detail in fungi and animals. However, studies on the Hsp90 genes in plants are generally limited. Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P. Beauv. , as a model plant for cereal crops, has become a potential biofuel grass. During its long evolution, the Hsp90 gene family in Brachypodium has developed some strategies to cope with adverse environments. How the Hsp90 gene family in Brachypodium evolved in different plant lineages and what its role is in plant responses to drought and salt stresses remains to be elucidated. We used a set of different bioinformatics tools to identify 94 Hsp90 genes from 10 species representing four plant lineages and classified into three subgroups. Eight BdHsp90 genes were detected from B. distachyon. The number of exon-intron structures differed in each subgroup, and the motif analysis revealed that these genes were relatively conservative in each group. The fragments duplication and tandem duplication, which are the prime powers for functional diversity, generally occurred during the duplication of the whole plant genome. Transcriptional analysis of the BdHsp90 genes under salt and drought stress conditions indicated that the expression of these genes was delayed or increased at different stress time points; The expression was more affected in that of Bradi3g39630, Bradi4g06370, and Bradi1g30130. Our findings suggest the involvement of BdHsp90s in plant abiotic stress response, and further consolidate our views on the stress response mechanism of Hsp90 in general.
Acylation of the 176R (19-kilodalton) early region 1B protein of human adenovirus type 5

Antipeptide sera were prepared in rabbits against synthetic peptides corresponding to the predicted amino and carboxy termini of the early region 1B 176R (19-kilodalton [kDa]) protein of human adenovirus type 5. Both antisera specifically immunoprecipitated the 19- and 18.5-kDa forms of the 176R protein observed previously with antitumor sera. These data suggested that both species are full-length molecules of 176 residues. To identify posttranslational modifications that could explain the formation of these multiple species and possibly their known association with membranes, studies were carried out to determine whether they are glycosylated or acylated. Neither the 19- nor the 18.5-kDa species appeared to be a glycoprotein, however, they were labeled with [3H]palmitate and [3H]myristate, indicating that both species are acylated. Thus, whereas acylation does not appear to be the cause of the multiple species, it could play a role in the membrane association of these viral proteins. The acylation of 176R was found to be unusual. The fatty acid linkage was resistant to treatment with hydroxylamine or methanol-KOH, suggesting that acylation was through an amide bond. In addition, both palmitate and myristate were present in 176R, suggesting either a lack of specificity in the acylation reaction or the existence of more than one acylation site.
A Structural Model with Jump Diffusion Processes

In this paper, we extend the framework of Leland’s 94 by examining corporate debt, equity and ﬁrm values with jump diﬀfusion processes. We choose two kinds of jumps such as the uniform and double exponential jumps to modelise the distribution of the log jump sizes. By this choice, we are able to derive closed-form results in both models for equity, debt and ﬁrm values. Our results have the same forms as those of Leland’s 94. However, in both our models, the spreads are modiﬁed signiﬁcantly in comparison with those of Leland due to jumps’ assumption.
Nonequilibrium Shear Viscosity Computations with Langevin Dynamics

We study the mathematical properties of a nonequilibrium Langevin dynamics which can be used to estimate the shear viscosity of a system. More precisely, we prove a linear response result which allows us to relate averages over the nonequilibrium stationary state of the system to equilibrium canonical expectations. We then write a local conservation law for the average longitudinal velocity of the fluid and show how, under some closure approximation, the viscosity can be extracted from this profile. We finally characterize the asymptotic behavior of the velocity profile, in the limit where either the transverse or the longitudinal friction goes to infinity. Some numerical illustrations of the theoretical results are also presented.