Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Broadband Monopole Antennas With Dual-Band Circular Polarization

Novel broadband monopole antenna designs with dual-band circular polarization (CP) are presented. The proposed antenna comprised of a ground plane embedded with an inverted-L slit, which is capable of generating a resonant mode for broadband impedance-bandwidth, and excites two orthogonal E vectors with equal amplitude and 90deg phase difference (PD) for radiating left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) at 2.5 GHz and right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) at 3.4 GHz. A bevel is cut in the rectangular radiator to increase the impedance-bandwidth. The measured result of the impedance-bandwidth is about 4.46 GHz from 2.12 to 6.58 GHz; the 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidths are about 150 MHz at the lower band (2.5 GHz) and 230 MHz at the upper band (3.4 GHz). Furthermore, embedding an I-shaped slit in the rectangular radiator and adding an I-shaped stub in the ground plane, the impedance-bandwidth can be further increased to 6.30 GHz (2.17-8.47 GHz), and the 3-dB AR-bandwidth at the upper band is greatly enhanced from 230 to 900 MHz.
A preliminary study of side population cells in human gastric cancer cell line HGC-27.

BACKGROUND Cancer stem cell-like side population (SP) cells, which may be responsible for recurrence, tumor metastasis, and resistance to cancer therapy, have been identified and characterized in several types of cell lines from gastric cancer. However, there is no report on isolation of SP cells from human gastric cancer cell line HGC-27. This study aims to analyze the proportion of SP cells in HGC-27 cell line, differentiate SP from non-side population (NSP) cells, and determine whether the SP cells have certain biological properties of stem cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS (1) HGC-27 suspension was prepared and stained with Hoechst33342 and PI for flow cytometric isolation of SP (2). Differences in proliferation and stemness-related gene expression profiles (CD133, CD44, OCT-4, MDR1, EpCAM, and ABCG2) between SP and NSP cells were detected by gastric formation assay and quantitative real-time PCR (3). Oncogenicity of SP and NSP cells was determined in nude mice in vivo. RESULTS (1) SP cells accounted for 0.1-1.0% of HGC-27 cells, and decreased to 0% after verapamil inhibition. Using flow cytometry, we sorted 7.5×10⁵ SP cells and most HGC-27 cells were NSP cells (2). Gastric formation assay and MTT demonstrated that there was a significant difference in proliferation between SP and NSP cells. Gene expression analysis showed that the expression of genes was significantly higher in SP cells (3). The oncogenicity experiment in nude mice revealed that 105 SP cells were able to form tumors, which demonstrated higher tumorigenicity than non-SP cells. CONCLUSIONS These results collectively suggested that SP cells from HGC-27 cell line have some cancer stem cell properties and could be used for studying the pathogenesis of gastric cancer, which may contribute to discovery of novel therapeutic targets.
Automated differential leukocyte counts in newborn infants. Comparison of Coulter VCS and Technicon HI with manual counts

Abstract: There was good agreement between results obtained with Coulter VCS/Technicon HI and manual counting with respect to neutrophils and eosinophils. Coulter VCS overestimates the lymphocyte percentage compared to manual counting and to HI. If, however, the percentage of so called “naked” cells are added to the percentage of manually counted lymphocytes, the agreement between VCS and the manual method is improved. The alarms given by the two instruments are of little value in detecting left shift or nucleated red blood cells.
Evidence for anticipation in schizophrenia.

Anticipation, or increasing severity of a disorder across successive generations, is a genetic phenomenon with an identified molecular mechanism: expansion of unstable trinucleotide repeat sequences. This study examined anticipation in familial schizophrenia. Three generations of siblines from the affected side of families selected for unilineal, autosomal dominant-like inheritance of schizophrenia were studied (n = 186). Across generations more subjects were hospitalized with psychotic illness (P < .001), at progressively earlier ages (P < .0001), and with increasing severity of illness (P < .0003). The results indicate that anticipation is present in familial schizophrenia. These findings support both an active search for unstable trinucleotide repeat sequences in schizophrenia and reconsideration of the genetic model used for linkage studies in this disorder.
Comparisons of Civic Engagement in Europe: Evidence from European Values Study

Comparisons of Civic Engagement in Europe: Evidence from European Values Study. The research is focused on the nature of civic engagement across European countries and its prediction, based on European Values Study data (2008). A model of civic engagement which includes scales of civic concern, civic confidence, non-violent elite-changing actions and organizational activities, which has been tested both on cross-country level and in pooled data, implies two factors, corresponding to “cognition” and “activity” parts of civic engagement. An attempt is made to envisage and conceptualize the predictors of civic engagement in different parts of Europe with the help of classical OLS regression and multilevel regression modelling, in such a way testing research hypotheses. It is shown that differences in civic engagement may be conceptualized within the framework of Laurent Thevenot’s three regimes of engagement.
NMR structure of HI0004, a putative essential gene product from Haemophilus influenzae, and comparison with the X‐ray structure of an Aquifex aeolicus homolog

The solution structure of the 154‐residue conserved hypothetical protein HI0004 has been determined using multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. HI0004 has sequence homologs in many organisms ranging from bacteria to humans and is believed to be essential in Haemophilus influenzae, although an exact function has yet to be defined. It has a α–β–α sandwich architecture consisting of a central four‐stranded β‐sheet with the α2‐helix packed against one side of the β‐sheet and four α‐helices (α1, α3, α4, α5) on the other side. There is structural homology with the eukaryotic matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), but little sequence similarity except for a conserved region containing three histidines that appears in both the MMPs and throughout the HI0004 family of proteins. The solution structure of HI0004 is compared with the X‐ray structure of an Aquifex aeolicus homolog, AQ_1354, which has 36% sequence identity over 148 residues. Despite this level of sequence homology, significant differences exist between the two structures. These differences are described along with possible functional implications of the structures.
Young People and Political Participation: Teen Players

This book analyses the various ways and the extent to which young people participate in politics, focusing primarily on the UK and including cross-national comparisons where relevant. It covers topics including: what is meant by political participation; youth political participation on a pan-European basis; new social media and youth political participation; whether the voting age should be lowered to 16; youth participation at the local level; and young women and political participation. Written in a lively and engaging style, the book provides a detailed investigation into the extent to which young people in the twenty-first century are interested and participate in politics. The author has included interviews with many young people, as well as with academics and specialists in the field. The book’s greatest contribution is to the debate surrounding whether or not the voting age should be lowered to 16 – a timely and thought-provoking analysis. [Publisher]
Cognitive reappraisal and secondary control coping: associations with working memory, positive and negative affect, and symptoms of anxiety/depression

Abstract The current study examined the relations of measures of cognitive reappraisal and secondary control coping with working memory abilities, positive and negative affect, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in young adults (N=124). Results indicate significant relations between working memory abilities and reports of secondary control coping and between reports of secondary control coping and cognitive reappraisal. Associations were also found between measures of secondary control coping and cognitive reappraisal and positive and negative affect and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Further, the findings suggest that reports of cognitive reappraisal may be more strongly predictive of positive affect whereas secondary control coping may be more strongly predictive of negative affect and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Overall, the results suggest that current measures of secondary control coping and cognitive reappraisal capture related but distinct constructs and suggest that the assessment of working memory may be more strongly related to secondary control coping in predicting individual differences in distress.
University teachers’ action research: An adventure into uncharted waters?

One of the main approaches of educational systems in enhancing the teaching quality has been increasing teachers’ action research skills. The objective of this study has been identification of university teachers’ action research skills in higher education in Iran. The population under study has been all teachers at University of Kashan, Iran (283) from which 189 teachers have been randomly selected. The instrument employed has been a self-made questionnaire which assessed teachers’ action research skills based upon four factors (diagnostic Skills, attitude towards action research, data collection skills, and practical action research abilities). The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed by Cronbach’s Alfa as 0.852 and this is indicative of the high reliability and internal consistency of the instrument. This study clearly showed that a large number of university teachers have no information about the role of action research in improving the quality of teaching and learning. Data analysis showed that even noticeable differences are not observed in the behavior of teachers familiar with action research and those who are unfamiliar with it. The most interesting finding of this study was the discovery that all university teachers were able to recognize the issues and topics related to their profession (topic recognition skill) and are deeply preoccupied with such issues (attitude towards action research), but they lacked the necessary skills to cope with these issues and make the relevant practical decisions (data collection skills and practical action research). To overcome this deficiency, the researchers suggest in-service educational programs organized by university authorities with the aim of turning teachers to researchers familiar with action research skills.
Analysis of thoracic epidurography and correlating factors affecting the extent of contrast medium spread

Background Thoracic epidural anesthesia is frequently used to maintain intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Frequently, 3 ml of local anesthetic is used as a test dose, or for intermittent epidural injection. We assessed the extent of the spread of 3 ml of contrast medium in the thoracic epidural space and attempted to identify any correlating factors affecting the epidurography. Methods A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the study, and thoracic epidural catheterizations were performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Using 3 ml of contrast medium, epidurography was evaluated to confirm the number of spinal segments covered by the contrast medium. Correlation analysis was performed between patient characteristics (sex, age, body mass index, weight, height, and location of catheter tip) and the extent of the contrast spread. Results The mean number of vertebral segments evaluated by contrast medium was 7.9 ± 2.2 using 3 ml of contrast medium. The contrast spread in the cranial direction showed more extensive distribution than that in the caudal direction, with statistical significance (P < 0.01). Patient height demonstrated a negative correlation with the extent of distribution of contrast medium (r = −0.311, P < 0.05). Conclusions Thoracic epidurography using 3 ml of contrast medium results in coverage of a mean of 7.9 ± 2.2 spinal segments, with more extensive cranial spread, and patient height showed a weak negative correlation with the distribution of contrast medium.
Effects of daily corticosterone injections upon plasma glucose, insulin, uric acid and electrolytes and food intake pattern in the chicken.

The effect of daily injections of corticosterone (about 0.85 or 4.3 mg/day) on corticosterone-insulin interactions were investigated in ad libitum-fed chickens. The short term (0-5 hr after the injection) hyperglycaemic effect of corticosterone was accompanied by an increase in plasma uric acid levels but was not associated with consistent changes of alpha-amino non protein nitrogen, potassium, sodium or insulin. On the 8th and 15th days of experiment and after an overnight fast (i.e. about 20 hrs after an injection of corticosterone), the responses to a test-meal were measured and glucose tolerance was estimated. Birds receiving 4.3 mg corticosterone showed increased plasma glucose levels when fasting and just after (15 min) the test-meal and the glucose load. Glucose tolerance was slightly improved in birds injected with 0.85 mg corticosterone. In both tests, plasma levels of alpha-amino non protein nitrogen and possibly, uric acid (initial post-stimulation stages in birds treated with 4.3 mg corticosterone) were increased by corticosterone treatment, suggesting catabolism of amino acids. Additionally, in both tests, plasma insulin levels were increased in corticosterone-treated animals. Fasting plasma potassium levels were only decreased by the 4.3 mg dose of corticosterone. Plasma sodium levels were decreased 45-90 min following the test-meal, in all animals including controls. This effect remains unexplained. Following both the test-meal and the glucose tolerance test, plasma potassium levels decreased transiently. This effect may be compared to the hypokalaemic effect of exogenous insulin in mammals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
E-Government, Financial Development and Economic Growth

The growing importance of e-government and financial development has captured the attention of policy makers who are determined to enhance the per capita income of a country. This study aims to present new findings of the impacts of e-government and financial development on economic growth, using a cross sectional multi-year average dataset of 147 economies across the globe. To the best of the knowledge of authors, this is the first empirical research work which determines relationship between the economic growth and e-government, with particular focus on the role of financial development in shaping this relationship. The possible problem of endogeneity using both the internal and external instruments is also addressed in this study. Empirical findings suggest that growth impact of e-government is positive and significant while the direct growth impact of financial development turns out to be insignificant. However, the positive impact of financial development is explained thorough implementation of e-government as interactive term of financial development and the e-government which turns out to be positive and significant in all regressions. Findings of this study are not sensitive to control additional variables. The study concludes that economies of the world can significantly benefit from financial development if satisfactory quality of e-government can be assured.
A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes for Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients Following Directional Atherectomy in the DEFINITIVE LE Claudicant Cohort

Purpose: To report a subset analysis that evaluated the hypothesis that directional atherectomy for peripheral artery disease in diabetic claudicants has noninferior primary patency at 12 months compared with nondiabetic claudicants. Methods: DEFINITIVE LE, a US/European multicenter study, assessed the effectiveness of directional atherectomy using SilverHawk/TurboHawk systems for treatment of peripheral artery disease in the superficial femoral, popliteal, and infrapopliteal arteries. Of the 800 patients enrolled in the study, only the 598 claudicant patients (mean age 69.5±10.4 years; 336 men) who were classified at baseline as Rutherford category 1–3 were eligible for this subset analysis. Of these, 46.8% (280/598) had diabetes. Follow-up to 12 months included duplex ultrasound examination, functional assessments, and adverse event evaluations. Independent angiographic and duplex ultrasound core laboratories assessed primary patency and secondary endpoints; a clinical events committee adjudicated adverse events. Results: Although diabetics had significantly more baseline comorbidities, 12-month primary patency (77.0%) was no different than for nondiabetics (77.9%; superiority p=0.98; noninferiority p<0.001) across all anatomic territories treated. Freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization was no different between diabetics (83.8%) and nondiabetics (87.5%) overall (p=0.19) or by lesion locations. Secondary clinical outcomes (Rutherford category, ankle-brachial index, and walking impairment) improved at 12 months for both diabetics and nondiabetics. Conclusion: Noninferior 12-month patency rates demonstrate that directional atherectomy is an effective treatment in diabetic as well as nondiabetic claudicants. Directional atherectomy remains an attractive treatment option, improving luminal diameters without stents, which preserves future treatment options for both diabetic and nondiabetic patients with progressive, diffuse vascular disease.
Patient Outcomes After Knee Replacement

A prospective, observational cohort investigation was performed to help understanding the impact of knee replacement on patients with knee osteoarthritis in community practice. Of those, 291 patients (330 knees) were eligible and willing to participate. Forty-eight orthopaedic surgeons referred 563 patients from 25 institutions within the state of Indiana. Demographics, patient completed health status, satisfaction, independent radiographic measures, surgeon reported intraoperative factors, hospital discharge factors, and independent physical examinations were recorded. A minimum 2-year followup was obtained in 92% of the patients. At followup, 88% were satisfied, 3% were neutral, and 9% were dissatisfied with the results of their knee surgery. The physical composite score improved from 27.4 ± 0.4 (range, 13.3-50.3) to 37.7 ± 0.7 (range, 12.9-61.3) at two years. Maximal improvement in physical composite score was seen in patients who had their surgery performed in institutions that performed greater than 50 knee replacements per year in patients with Medicare insurance; who had a better mental health status at baseline; who had surgery performed on Monday, Friday, or Saturday; who were older; who were treated with a posterior cruciate sparing device; and who had worse preoperative function. A lower likelihood of complications were found with surgeons who performed greater than 20 knee replacements per year; midweek surgeries; in patients with more severe preoperative knee dysfunction; patients with fewer comorbidities; patients with less preoperative stiffness; patients being treated by younger surgeons; and in patients undergoing unilateral knee replacement. Among voluntarily participating physicians, knee replacement can be a highly effective medical technology with high levels of patient satisfaction and low rates of complications.
Disruption of the c/ebp alpha gene in adult mouse liver

The liver-enriched transcription factor C/EBP alpha has been implicated in the regulation of numerous liver-specific genes. It was previously reported that mice carrying a homozygous null mutation at the c/ebp alpha locus died as neonates due to the absence of hepatic glycogen and the resulting hypoglycemia. However, the lethal phenotype precluded further analysis of the role of C/EBP alpha in hepatic gene regulation in adult mice. To circumvent this problem, we constructed a conditional knockout allele of c/ebp alpha by using the Cre/loxP recombination system. Homozygous c/ebp-loxP mice, (c/ebp alpha(fl/fl);fl, flanked by loxP sites) were found to be indistinguishable from their wild-type counterparts. However, when Cre recombinase was delivered to hepatocytes of adult c/ebp alpha(fl/fl) mice by infusion of a recombinant adenovirus carrying the cre gene, more than 80% of the c/ebp alpha(fl/fl) genes were deleted specifically in liver and C/EBP alpha expression was reduced by 90%. This condition resulted in a reduced level of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase expression in the liver. After several days, the knockout mice developed severe jaundice due to an increase in unconjugated serum bilirubin. The expression of genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glycogen synthase, and factor IX was also strongly reduced in adult conditional-knockout animals, while the expression of transferrin, apolipoprotein B, and insulin-like growth factor I genes was not affected. These results establish C/EBP alpha as an essential transcriptional regulator of genes encoding enzymes involved in bilirubin detoxification and gluconeogenesis in adult mouse liver.
Factors Influencing the Executive and Legislative Conflict in Nigeria Political Development

-The article examined the factor influencing the executive and legislative conflicts in Nigeria Political development. A current trend in the relationships between these organs of government has gathered greater momentum from academics, policy makers, and development organizations as well as researchers. The political dimension of development has contributed immensely in defining the nature of executive and legislative relationship. Nigeria political development has been hampered by the conflictual political relationship existing between the key actors of policy making and policy execution. Separation of Power Theory was used to explain what is needed from these key political players in the government of Nigeria. The harmony expected from these major players results to institutional stability, political development as well as defined legal institutions that protect all aspects of the Nigerian State. This paper among other things explores the following issues: the factors responsible for the executive and legislative conflicts which impede on Nigerian; the implication of this problem for the political development and the significantchallenges and prospects to Nigerian.