Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fundamental properties and optimization of broadside radiation from uniform leaky-wave antennas

In this paper, radiation at broadside is studied for a general class of leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) comprised of a grounded slab covered with a partially reflecting surface, on the basis of a simple transverse equivalent network model of the structure. The analysis of the one-dimensional (1-D) version of such a LWA excited by a line source shows that a central role in establishing the features of broadside radiation is played by the condition that the phase and attenuation constants of the leaky mode responsible for radiation are equal. When this happens, a beam with a single peak at broadside is on the verge of splitting into two distinct peaks, and maximum power density is radiated at broadside. Design formulas to achieve such an optimized condition, as well as approximate expressions for the frequency bandwidth and pattern beamwidth of the antenna and for the leaky-wave phase and attenuation constants are derived, both in the absence and in the presence of losses; in addition, an optimal-beamwidth condition (which gives the narrowest broadside beam) is derived. Finally, all the results are extended to the practical case of a 2-D LWA excited by a horizontal dipole
Genome‐wide transcriptional response of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with an altered redox metabolism

The genome‐wide transcriptional response of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain deleted in GDH1 that encodes a NADP+‐dependent glutamate dehydrogenase was compared to a wild‐type strain under anaerobic steady‐state conditions. The GDH1‐deleted strain has a significantly reduced NADPH requirement, and therefore, an altered redox metabolism. Identification of genes with significantly changed expression using a t‐test and a Bonferroni correction yielded only 16 transcripts when accepting two false‐positives, and 7 of these were Open Reading Frames (ORFs) with unknown function. Among the 16 transcripts the only one with a direct link to redox metabolism was GND1, encoding phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. To extract additional information we analyzed the transcription data for a gene subset consisting of all known genes encoding metabolic enzymes that use NAD+ or NADP+. The subset was analyzed for genes with significantly changed expression again with a t‐test and correction for multiple testing. This approach was found to enrich the analysis since GND1, ZWF1 and ALD6, encoding the most important enzymes for regeneration of NADPH under anaerobic conditions, were down‐regulated together with eight other genes encoding NADP(H)‐dependent enzymes. This indicates a possible common redox‐dependent regulation of these genes. Furthermore, we showed that it might be necessary to analyze the expression of a subset of genes to extract all available information from global transcription analysis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cytogenetic studies in crossbred pigs

Karyological investigation pertaining to 30 crossbred pigs (both sexes) maintained at AICRP, Tirupati was undertaken in order to study the chromosomal profile of the crossbred pigs and their morphometric measurements. The cells had the usual diploid complement of 38 chromosomes (2n = 38) and a fundamental number of 64 as in the exotic pigs with XY complement in males and XX complement in females. The karyotype of crossbred pig was characterized by 5 pairs of submetacentric chromosomes (1-5), next two pairs were sub telocentric (6-7), subsequent 5 pairs were metacentric (8-12) and remaining six pairs were telocentric (13-18). A detailed idiogram was constructed from the results obtained. First chromosome was the longest pair and thirteenth pair was the second largest, while Y-chromosome was the smallest in the karyotype of the pig. The X chromosome was metacentric, but not readily distinguishable from the autosome pair number 9, while Y chromosome was metacentric.
Model for the cometabolic biodegradation of chlorinated organics.

A mechanistic model is developed to describe the kinetics of the cometabolic degradation of chlorinated organics by oxygenase-expressing cultures. The oxidization of chlorinated organics has been shown to cause decreased cell activity due to product toxicity and/or the depletion of reducing energy. In addition, competition between growth substrate and cometabolic substrate for oxygenase enzymes may significantly affect cometabolic degradation rates. Typical saturation kinetic expressions for substrate degradation (Michaelis-Menten equation) and cell growth (Monod equation) cannot adequately describe the behavior of these interacting effects. In this study, a modification of Michaelis-Menten/Monod kinetics is proposed that incorporates the effects of product toxicity, reducing energy limitation, and competitive inhibition together with cell growth and decay. This model is able to predict the kinetics of chlorinated organic degradation by oxygenase-expressing cultures over a range of substrate conditions (resting cells, cells with reducing energy substrate, cells with growth substrate). The effects of endogenous and external reducing energy sources on observed cometabolic degradation rates and transformation capacities (k c ob and T c ob ) are discussed and verified by experimental results.
Interactivity Improves Usability of Geographic Maps for Visually Impaired People

Tactile relief maps are used by visually impaired people to acquire mental representation of space, but they retain important limitations (limited amount of information, braille text, etc.). Interactive maps may overcome these limitations. However, usability of these two types of maps has never been compared. It is then unknown whether interactive maps are equivalent or even better solutions than traditional raised-line maps. This study presents a comparison of usability of a classical raised-line map versus an interactive map composed of a multitouch screen, a raised-line overlay, and audio output. Both maps were tested by 24 blind participants. We measured usability as efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. Our results show that replacing braille with simple audio-tactile interaction significantly improved efficiency and user satisfaction. Effectiveness was not related to the map type but depended on users’ characteristics as well as the category of assessed spatial knowledge. Long-term evaluation of acquired spatial information revealed that maps, whether interactive or not, are useful to build robust survey-type mental representations in blind users. Altogether, these results are encouraging as they show that interactive maps are a good solution for improving map exploration and cognitive mapping in visually impaired people.
Integrins in the Development and Pathology of Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle is composed of many multinucleated myofibres each of which is surrounded by a connective tissue matrix that is essential for the function and the structural integrity of muscle. Apposed to each myofibre is a basement membrane, composed of a mixture of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including collagen, fibronectin, glycoproteins (laminins, perlecan and nidogen) and proteoglycans. The proteins bind to multiple receptors expressed on the surface of muscle fibres: this is most notable at the level of the Z discs where an assembly of cytoskeletal proteins including dystrophin and integrins maintain continuity between the contractile apparatus, cytoskeleton and the ECM. This association of proteins is commonly referred to as the costamere, which is derived from the Latin word costa, meaning rib, because they encircle the whole muscle fibre and are arranged at regular intervals, thus conferring the appearance of a rib-like structure (Ervasti, 2003). Costameres are the means by which mechanical stress generated by contraction is diffused laterally across the myofibre. An additional structure where stress is transmitted to the ECM is the myotendinous junction (MTJ), where a connection to the tendon is made at the termini of muscle fibres (Tidball, 1991). This tight association between the muscle fibre and its surrounding matrix not only confers tensile strength to the entire muscle but also plays an important role in development, regeneration and synaptogenesis (Sanes, 2003). Indeed genetic defects in proteins that localise to the costameres and MTJs are a common cause of muscle disease, underscoring their importance in maintaining normal muscle function (Campbell and Stull, 2003).
The perceptual uncertainty of having slept: the inability to discriminate electroencephalographic sleep from wakefulness.

Stage 2 sleep is often used as the objective marker of “true” sleep. Yet, throughout the polygraphic era of sleep research, there have been incidental literature reports on the discrepancy between verbal reports of prior behavioral state and the polygraphic recordings of prior behavioral state. Two experiments used a Signal Detection Theory (SDT) framework to systematically assess the extent of this verbal report polygraphic discrepancy in 11 subjects (aged 20-35) with no sleep-wake complaints or demonstrable sleep-wake pathologies. The present work used a 6-point rating scale with the polygraphic wake state designated as the “Signal” and the polygraphic sleep state (Stage 2 and REM sleep) designated as the “Noise” or blank. The ability to differentiate between polygraphic sleep and wakefulness differed by sleep stage with the discrimination significantly less when arousal came out of Stage 2 sleep rather than out of REM sleep. There was a high false alarm rate out of both polygraphic sleep stage 2 and REM but it was significantly higher out of Stage 2. A priori instruction set and limited performance feedback differentially and significantly affected discrimination and bias by sleep stage. The neuro- and psychophysiological implications of this work are discussed in the context of current definitions of the sleep state and characterization of the insomnias.
Investigation of IL1, VEGF, PPARG and MEFV genes in psoriatic arthritis susceptibility

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is characterised by joint inflammation in patients with psoriasis or a family history of psoriasis. A study of the Icelandic genealogical database supports a strong genetic component with a 40-fold increased risk of disease in first-degree relatives of patients with PsA.1 In order to identify genes that predispose to disease, two study designs have become prominent in recent years: the candidate gene and the genome-wide association (GWA) approach, using case-control cohorts. Although GWA studies allow a comprehensive analysis of the genome for susceptibility variants, they remain expensive and only three GWAs in PsA have been published to date.2,–,4 These have identified the HLA C , IL23R , IL12B , IL13 and TRAF3IP2 genes as being robustly associated with PsA. Due to issues of multiple testing, only those loci that reach stringent significance thresholds can claim to show confirmed association with PsA. …
Comorbidity of fibromyalgia and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in a community sample of women.

OBJECTIVE To test alternative explanations for the comorbidity between fibromyalgia (FM), a medically unexplained syndrome involving widespread pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In contrast to a default "risk factor" hypothesis, tested hypotheses were that: A) The association is due to a sampling bias introduced by the study of care-seeking individuals; B) FM is an additive burden that strains coping resources when confronting life stress; and C) Arousal symptoms of PTSD and FM are confounded. DESIGN Community-dwelling women in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area (N=1,312) completed a telephone survey regarding FM-like symptoms prior to September 11, 2001. Approximately 6 months after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, they again completed the survey, to which questions regarding PTSD symptoms were added. RESULTS The odds of probable PTSD were more than three times greater in women with FM-like symptoms, both assessed after 9/11. The odds ratio was not reduced by controlling for FM-like symptoms before 9/11 or for the potentially confounded symptoms of PTSD specifically related to arousal. CONCLUSIONS These findings lead us to reject alternate explanations for the comorbidity between FM and PTSD. Speculations that FM and PTSD share psychobiological risk factors remain plausible.
High-performance p-channel diamond MOSFETs with alumina gate insulator

We evaluated diamond metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) on (001) homoepitaxial and (110) preferentially oriented large-grain diamond films with an Al2O3 gate insulator and demonstrated their improved DC and RF characteristics (IDS = -790 mA/mm and fT = 45 GHz, which are the highest values for diamond FETs). Channel mobility evaluation and load-pull measurement were carried out for the first time for diamond MOSFETs. Even on a large-grain diamond substrate, a high channel mobility of 120 cm2/Vs was obtained. This is comparable to that of a SiC inversion layer. A power density of 2.14 W/mm was obtained at 1 GHz. This power density exceeded those of Si LDMOSFETs and GaAs FETs.
Interactive effects of early and later nutritional conditions on the adult antioxidant defence system in zebra finches

ABSTRACT In vertebrates, antioxidant defences comprise a mixture of endogenously produced components and exogenously obtained antioxidants that are derived mostly from the diet. It has been suggested that early-life micronutritional conditions might influence the way in which the antioxidant defence system operates, which could enable individuals to adjust the activity of the endogenous and exogenous components in line with their expected intake of dietary antioxidants if the future environment resembles the past. We investigated this possibility by experimentally manipulating the micronutrient content of the diet during different periods of postnatal development in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Birds that had a low micronutrient diet during the growth phase initially had a lower total antioxidant capacity (TAC) than those reared under a high micronutrient diet, but then showed a compensatory response, so that by the end of the growth phase, the TAC of the two groups was the same. Interestingly, we found an interactive effect of micronutrient intake early and late in development: only those birds that continued with the same dietary treatment (low or high) throughout development showed a significant increase in their TAC during the period of sexual maturation. A similar effect was also found in the level of enzymatic antioxidant defences (glutathione peroxidase; GPx). No significant effects were found in the level of oxidative damage in lipids [malondialdehyde (MDA) levels]. These findings demonstrate the importance of early and late developmental conditions in shaping multiple aspects of the antioxidant system. Furthermore, they suggest that young birds may adjust their antioxidant defences to enable them to ‘thrive’ on diets rich or poor in micronutrients later in life. Summary: Experimentally manipulating the intake of dietary antioxidants in young zebra finches shows that early-life nutrition can shape later-life antioxidant defences.
Antigenic Variations of Infectious Bronchitis Virus from Broiler flocks in Al Behera Governorate

Seventeen avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) isolates were isolated from broiler chickens showing respiratory and renal lesions. The isolated strains were characterized by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction used for N gene, and then RT-PCR and sequence analysis of the hypervariable region 3 of the S1 spike glycoprotein gene of six isolates. Six isolates showed 87.15% to 89.71 % and 87.27% to 90.82% amino acid sequence identity and 87.61% to 89.19 % and 87.91% to 89.72% nucleotide sequence identity to the Egyptian variant 1 and the IS/885 strains, respectively. The six isolates formed a distinct phylogenetic group with the Ck/Eg/BSU-2/2011 and Ck/Eg/ BSU-3/2011 (Var 2). Amino acid and nucleotide identities between the six Egyptian isolates and variant 2 (Ck/Eg/BSU-2/2011 and Ck/Eg/BSU-3/2011) ranged from 97.27% to 100% and 97.88% to 99.38%, respectively. The results indicate that the six isolates IBV/CK/Beh/101/013/S1,IBV/CK/Beh/204/013/S1,IBV/CK/Beh/105/013/S1,IBV/CK/Beh/1011/013/S1,IBV/CK/Beh/1017/013/S1,IBV/CK/Beh/2020/013/S1 can be considered a variant 2 as Ck/Eg/BSU-2/2011 and Ck/Eg/BSU-3/2011. This study demonstrates a constant evolution of IBV in Egypt that necessitates continuous monitoring to control the spread of infections, and the development and use of vaccines based on indigenous viruses.
Combined effects of p73 and MDM2 polymorphisms on the risk of lung cancer

p73, a structural and functional homologue of p53, plays an important role in modulating cell‐cycle control and apoptosis. MDM2 represses the transcriptional activity of p73 and thus attenuates its activity. Based on the interaction between p73 and MDM2 in cell‐cycle control and apoptosis, we investigated the association between p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 and MDM2 309T > G polymorphisms, alone and in combination, on the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The p73 and MDM2 genotypes were determined in 582 lung cancer patients and in 582 healthy control subjects who were frequency‐matched for age and gender. The p73 AT/AT and MDM2 309 GG genotypes were associated with a nonsignificant increased risk of lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83–2.24; and adjusted OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.92–1.80, respectively), compared with their wild‐type genotypes, respectively. When the p73 and MDM2 polymorphisms were combined, the risk of lung cancer increased in a dose‐dependent manner as the number of variant alleles increased (Ptrend = 0.01). Subjects with three or four variant alleles were at a significantly increased risk of lung cancer (adjusted OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.11–2.74, P = 0.02) compared to subjects with zero variant allele. These results suggest an additive effect of the p73 and MDM2 variant alleles on an increased risk of lung cancer. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbon nanotubes gathered onto silica particles lose their biomimetic properties with the cytoskeleton becoming biocompatible

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are likely to transform the therapeutic and diagnostic fields in biomedicine during the coming years. However, the fragmented vision of their side effects and toxicity in humans has proscribed their use as nanomedicines. Most studies agree that biocompatibility depends on the state of aggregation/dispersion of CNTs under physiological conditions, but conclusions are confusing so far. This study designs an experimental setup to investigate the cytotoxic effect of individualized multiwalled CNTs compared to that of identical nanotubes assembled on submicrometric structures. Our results demonstrate how CNT cytotoxicity is directly dependent on the nanotube dispersion at a given dosage. When CNTs are gathered onto silica templates, they do not interfere with cell proliferation or survival becoming highly compatible. These results support the hypothesis that CNT cytotoxicity is due to the biomimetics of these nanomaterials with the intracellular nanofilaments. These findings provide major clues for the development of innocuous CNT-containing nanodevices and nanomedicines.
Group size can have positive, negative, or even curvilinear effect on cooperation depending on how the benefit for full cooperation varies as a function of the group size

In a world in which many pressing global issues require large scale cooperation, understanding the group size effect on cooperative behavior is a topic of central importance. Yet, the nature of this effect remains largely unknown, with lab experiments insisting that it is either positive or negative or null, and field experiments suggesting that it is instead curvilinear. Here we shed light on this apparent contradiction by showing that one can recreate all these effects in the lab by varying a single parameter. Specifically, if the benefit for full cooperation remains constant as a function of the group size, then larger groups are less cooperative; if it increases linearly with the size of the group, then larger groups are more cooperative; however, in the more realistic scenario in which the natural output limits of the public good imply that the benefit of cooperation increases fast for early contributions and then decelerates, one may get a curvilinear effect according to which intermediatesize groups cooperate more than smaller groups and more than larger groups. Our findings help fill the gap between lab experiments and field experiments and suggest concrete ways to promote large scale cooperation among people.
Efficacy and safety of HLA-B7/β-2 microglobulin plasmid DNA/lipid complex (Allovectin-7®) in patients with metastatic melanoma

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B7/β-2 microglobulin plasmid DNA/lipid complex, otherwise known as Allovectin-7® (Vical, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), has been developed as a non-viral gene delivery product. After multiple laboratory and human trials, it appears that the concept of gene transfer has established itself as a clinical reality. While the manifestations of the gene transfer have not been as dramatic as one might have hoped, HLA-B7/β-2 microglobulin plasmid DNA/lipid complex appears to be a promising agent with an extremely safe toxicity profile. Ongoing trials are further investigating potential clinical uses of Allovectin-7.
Steady-state Regulation of the Human DNA Mismatch Repair System*

Steady-state levels of human DNA mismatch repair (MMR) transcripts and proteins were measured in MMR-proficient and -deficient cell lines by the newly developed competitive quantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction and Western analysis normalized with purified proteins. In MMR-proficient cells, hMSH2 is the most abundant MMR protein and is expressed 3 to 5 times more than hMLH1. The hMLH1 protein was expressed 1.5 to 2.5 times more than hPMS2. Steady-state levels of mRNA expression correlated well with protein expression. hMSH2-mutated LoVo cells did not express detectable hMSH3 or hMSH6 proteins. Similarly,hMLH1-mutated HCT116 cells did not express detectable hMLH1 or hPMS2 protein, whereas in hMLH1-restored HCT116+ch3 cells, hPMS2 protein was re-expressed. In hMSH6-mutated HCT15 cells, both hMSH3 protein and mRNA were increased. In SV40-transformed lung fibroblasts, all MMR mRNAs and proteins examined were expressed at levels 1.5–5-fold higher than in their nontransformed counterpart. The steady-state levels of MMR proteins indicate that substantially more hMutS proteins, which are involved in DNA mismatch recognition, are present in comparison with the hMutL proteins. Stability of hMSH3 and hMSH6 proteins appears to depend upon the presence of the hMSH2 protein, and, similarly, the stability of the hPMS2 protein depends upon hMLH1. When the hMSH6 is mutationally inactivated, hMSH3 increases by both transcriptional up-regulation and enhanced protein stability. A balanced up-regulation of all of the components was seen after viral transformation in a fibroblast model. Quantitative changes of the MMR components are a potential mechanism to modify the DNA MMR capabilities of a cell.