Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconfigurable Loop Antenna With Two Parasitic Grounded Strips for WWAN/LTE Unbroken-Metal-Rimmed Smartphones

A reconfigurable loop antenna with two parasitic grounded strips for modern smartphone devices is presented in this paper. The most essential merit of this proposed reconfigurable antenna is that it can keep the intactness of the outer metal rim. In addition, it can generate multiantenna modes. The outer metal rim generates three loop modes and the inner parasite grounded strips can provide two monopole modes. By merging these two types of antenna modes, it can offer two wide bandwidths to cover GSM850/900, DCS/PCS/UMTS2100, and LTE2300/2500 operations with a compact antenna size of 945 mm2. The detailed operating principles and design considerations of this proposed reconfigurable antenna are described. In order to validate this proposed antenna, it was fabricated and tested. The measured antenna efficiencies and gains are satisfied with the requirements for the modern communication devices.
Melatonin Supplementation May Improve the Outcome of Patients with Hemorrhagic Stroke in the Intensive Care Unit

Objective: Although mechanical ventilation is frequently a life-saving therapy, its use can result in unwanted side effects. It has been well documented that the choice of sedating agent may influence the duration of mechanical ventilation. Melatonin is a sedative and analgesic agent without any respiratory depressant effect which makes it an attractive adjuvant for sedation in the intubated patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of melatonin on the duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with hemorrhagic stroke. Methods: Forty adult intubated patients with hemorrhagic stroke, who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) within 24 h of onset, were enrolled in this randomized double-blind study. Subjects in the melatonin group received 30 mg of melatonin every night throughout the nasogastric tube. Length of ICU stay, mortality, and duration of mechanical ventilation were recorded for all patients. Findings: The duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay were shorter in patients who received melatonin in comparison with the control group, and this difference was statistically significant for the length of ICU stay and marginally significant for the duration of mechanical ventilation. Although not statistically significant, the mortality rate of the control group was 30%, almost double that of the study group (15%). Conclusion: Melatonin possesses hypnotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties that distinguish it as an attractive adjuvant in patients under mechanical ventilation. In conclusion, the administration of melatonin may facilitate the weaning process through decreasing the consumption of sedatives with respiratory depressant properties as well as preventing ventilator-associated lung injury.
Occurrence of coccidiosis in canaries (Serinus canarius) being kept in private captivity in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

This study have an aim to outline the coproparasitological profile of canaries (Serinus canarius) belonging to a private captivity (Canaril Freitas) situated in state of Pernambuco, Brazil. From 327 analysed passerine birds, 167 (50,5%) were parasitized by sporozoite of genre Isospora.
Relationship Between Ascorbic Acid and Resistance in Tomato Plants to Meloidogyne incognita

ARRIGONI, 0. , G. ZACHEO, R. ARRIGONI-LISO, T. BLEVE-ZACHEO, and F. LAMBERTI. 1979. Relationship between ascorbic acid and resistance in tomato plants to Meloidogyne incognita. Phytopathology 69: 579-58 1. The role of ascorbic acid in the defence mechanism of tomato synthesis), induces a reduction of plant resistance to the nematode, but an (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants against attack by the root-knot artificial increase in ascorbic acid concentration transforms susceptible nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, was studied under controlled plants into resistant ones. The amount of ascorbic acid in susceptible plants conditions. The ascorbic acid concentration in roots of either nematode- was unaltered by nematode attacks but in resistant plants ascorbic acid resistant or -susceptible plants was varied experimentally and the reaction synthesis always was stimulated. It is suggested that ascorbic acid is utilized of these plants to attacks by the nematode was tested. A decrease in ascorbic for the synthesis of mitochondrial hydroxyproline proteins which control acid, obtained by application of lycorine (an inhibitor of ascorbic acid the development of cyanide-resistant respiration.
Effect of acute ethanol administration on the baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate in normotensive human volunteers.

The effects of acute ethanol administration on blood pressure, heart rate and the baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate were studied in normotensive subjects who served as their own control. Baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate was measured by two methods: the ramp method and the steady state method. None of the doses of ethanol had any effect on blood pressure during the observation period, except for the highest dose where a slight elevation was evident for a short period of time. On the other hand, the heart rate showed a slight but consistent dose-related increase. In general, ethanol attenuated the baroreceptor mediated bradycardia but this effect was dependent on the way in which blood pressure was elevated. A dose-related impairment of baroreceptors was evident when the ramp method was used, i.e. ethanol significantly depressed baroreflex sensitivity, expressed as delta heart period (HP)/delta mean arterial pressure (MAP). In contrast, delta HP/delta MAP was not influenced by ethanol when the steady state method was used. However, the steady state baroreflex curves were reset about a higher median blood pressure (MAP50), suggesting that the baroreceptors will be operative at higher blood pressure levels after ethanol. The pressor responsiveness was also influenced differently by ethanol depending on the method of injecting phenylephrine. An increase in pressor responsiveness was evident, though not dose-related, after ethanol only when blood pressure was elevated by the ramp method, suggesting that the inverse relationship between baroreflex sensitivity and pressor responsiveness is more prominent with the ramp method and/or when impairment rather than resetting of baroreceptors occurs. That the decrease in baroreflex sensitivity and the increase in MAP50 were related to peak ethanol levels in blood and that the blood pressure was not influenced by ethanol strongly suggest these effects were ethanol mediated. The weakened buffering action of the baroreflexes would be expected to favour the development of higher blood pressure.
Microglia and astroglia have a common progenitor cell

Disaggregated neopallial cells from newborn C3H/HeJ mice were cloned in Grenier hybridoma tissue culture dishes, and culture wells that contained only one cell were marked. After 8–10 days of culturing, the cultures were fixed and double immunolabeled for microglia with Mac‐1 antibody and for astroglia with antibody to GFAP. Each marked well containing a clone was identified as either a microglia, astroglia, mixed microglia–astroglia, or an unlabeled clone. The effect of LM cell line conditioned medium (LM‐CM), which contains colony‐stimulating factor‐1, on the development of mixed microglia–astroglia clones was determined. Formation of mixed clones was dose dependent (P < 0.0001). We concluded that microglia and astroglia have a common progenitor cell and that the development of mixed clones is LM‐CM dependent. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:477–486, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potential Role for CD63 in CCR5-Mediated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection of Macrophages

ABSTRACT Macrophages and CD4+ lymphocytes are the principal target cells for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, but the molecular details of infection may differ between these cell types. During studies to identify cellular molecules that could be involved in macrophage infection, we observed inhibition of HIV-1 infection of macrophages by monoclonal antibody (MAb) to the tetraspan transmembrane glycoprotein CD63. Pretreatment of primary macrophages with anti-CD63 MAb, but not MAbs to other macrophage cell surface tetraspanins (CD9, CD81, and CD82), was shown to inhibit infection by several R5 and dualtropic strains, but not by X4 isolates. The block to productive infection was postfusion, as assessed by macrophage cell-cell fusion assays, but was prior to reverse transcription, as determined by quantitative PCR assay for new viral DNA formation. The inhibitory effects of anti-CD63 in primary macrophages could not be explained by changes in the levels of CD4, CCR5, or β-chemokines. Infections of peripheral blood lymphocytes and certain cell lines were unaffected by treatment with anti-CD63, suggesting that the role of CD63 in HIV-1 infection may be specific for macrophages.
Outcomes of non-surgical periodontal treatment by dental hygienists in training: impact of site- and patient-level factors.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the site- and patient-level factors that impact on the response to non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS A retrospective evaluation of clinical outcomes following non-surgical periodontal therapy delivered by dental hygienists in training was undertaken. Case notes from 195 patients with chronic periodontitis were reviewed and clinical data pre- and post-treatment abstracted. Patients were categorized as 'responders' or 'non-responders' according to defined outcome criteria, and the relationship between clinical and demographic variables and treatment outcomes was assessed. RESULTS Overall, there was a good response to the periodontal treatment. At deep sites (those with pretreatment probing depth ≥5 mm), the mean probing depth reduction was 1.6 ± 0.9 mm. Seventy-one (36%) patients were classified as non-responders (indicating that at least 30% of their deep sites did not improve by at least 2 mm following treatment). The non-responding group contained a significantly greater proportion of smokers (28%) than the responding group (16%). Plaque scores did not differ significantly between responders or non-responders either pre- or post-treatment. Regression analyses indicated that smoking status (odds ratio, OR: 2.04), mean pretreatment probing depth (OR: 1.49) and percentage of deep sites ≥5 mm at pretreatment (OR: 1.02) were significantly associated with response to treatment. CONCLUSION This study supports the benefits of non-surgical therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis by dental hygienists in training. Better responses to treatment tend to be observed in non-smokers and in those with less advanced periodontitis at baseline.
The Number of Repeat Sequences in Microtubule-associated Protein 4 Affects the Microtubule Surface Properties*

The microtubule-binding domain of MAP4, a ubiquitous microtubule-associated protein, contains a Repeat region with tandemly organized repeat sequences. In this study, we focused on the variations of the Repeat region, and searched for MAP4 isoforms with diverse Repeat region organizations. We successfully isolated four types of MAP4 cDNAs, which differed from each other in both the number and the arrangement of the repeat sequences, from a single source (bovine adrenal gland). To examine the functional differences among the isoforms, we prepared the microtubule-binding domain polypeptides of three of the four isoforms, and examined their activities. The isoform fragments showed similar degrees of microtubule assembly promoting activity and microtubule binding affinity. This result suggested that the Repeat region variation is not important for the control of microtubule dynamics, which is believed to be the main function of MAPs. On the other hand, the microtubule bundle-forming activity differed among the isoform fragments. The bundle formation was augmented by increasing the number of repeat sequences in the fragments. Based on these results, we propose the hypothesis that the role of the MAP4 isoforms is to regulate the surface charge of microtubules.
Arrayed mutant haploid embryonic stem cell libraries facilitate phenotype-driven genetic screens

Abstract Forward genetic screens using mammalian embryonic stem (ES) cells have identified genes required for numerous cellular processes. However, loss-of-function screens are more difficult to conduct in diploid cells because, in most cases, both alleles of a gene must be mutated to exhibit a phenotype. Recently, mammalian haploid ES cell lines were successfully established and applied to several recessive genetic screens. However, all these screens were performed in mixed pools of mutant cells and were mainly based on positive selection. In general, negative screening is not easy to apply to these mixed pools, although quantitative deep sequencing of mutagen insertions can help to identify some ‘missing’ mutants. Moreover, the interplay between different mutant cells in the mixed pools would interfere with the readout of the screens. Here, we developed a method for rapidly generating arrayed haploid mutant libraries in which the proportion of homozygous mutant clones can reach 85%. After screening thousands of individual mutant clones, we identified a number of novel factors required for the onset of differentiation in ES cells. A negative screen was also conducted to discover mutations conferring cells with increased sensitivity to DNA double-strand breaks induced by the drug doxorubicin. Both of these screens illustrate the value of this system.
The effect of contextual auditory stimuli on virtual spatial navigation in patients with focal hemispheric lesions

ABSTRACT Topographical disorientation is a frequent deficit among patients suffering from brain injury. Spatial navigation can be explored in this population using virtual reality environments, even in the presence of motor or sensory disorders. Furthermore, the positive or negative impact of specific stimuli can be investigated. We studied how auditory stimuli influence the performance of brain-injured patients in a navigational task, using the Virtual Action Planning–Supermarket (VAP-S) with the addition of contextual (“sonar effect” and “name of product”) and non-contextual (“periodic randomised noises”) auditory stimuli. The study included 22 patients with a first unilateral hemispheric brain lesion and 17 healthy age-matched control subjects. After a software familiarisation, all subjects were tested without auditory stimuli, with a sonar effect or periodic random sounds in a random order, and with the stimulus “name of product”. Contextual auditory stimuli improved patient performance more than control group performance. Contextual stimuli benefited most patients with severe executive dysfunction or with severe unilateral neglect. These results indicate that contextual auditory stimuli are useful in the assessment of navigational abilities in brain-damaged patients and that they should be used in rehabilitation paradigms.
Validity of subjective evaluations for the assessment of lip scarring and impairment.

OBJECTIVE In patients with cleft lip and palate, the aim of the study was (1) to determine and compare the level of agreement among examiners' subjective evaluations of static and dynamic lip form; (2) assess possible bias of examiners' subjective evaluations; and (3) determine the impact of lip scarring on an examiner's subjective assessment of dynamic lip form. SETTING Patients and subjects were recruited from the University of North Carolina Cleft Lip and Palate Center and School of Dentistry. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS Thirteen patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and varying degrees of cleft scar severity were selected and one subject without cleft who wore artificial scars of varying severity. INTERVENTIONS For the patients with cleft, a previously repaired complete cleft lip and palate. Photographs and videotape recordings were made of the patients with cleft and the subject without cleft, with and without the artificial scars, at rest and smiling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Rankings of cleft scar severity and impairment on a 6-point Likert scale by a lay and professional panel. RESULTS Intra- and interexaminer reliability was good for the lower facial regions at rest but not during movement. Professionals gave ratings of greater severity and impairment than laypersons, and professionals agreed when rating the lower faces at rest more so than during movement. Lip scarring affected perceptions of impairment during movement by viewers in both panels. CONCLUSIONS Subjective assessments can be affected by methodological approaches, professional experience, and stimulus type. Future research should focus on establishing objective methods to evaluate patients with cleft lip and palate at rest and during function.
The Destruction of Buddhas: Dissonant Heritage, Religious or Political Iconoclasm?

This article attempts to explore the main impulses that might have led to the destruction of Buddha statues by Taliban in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan. Drawing on existing literature, and anecdotal evidence, this article suggests that the main impulses that have led to destruction are rather linked to the overall political context of that time (i.e., political iconoclasm) rather than to pure Islamic iconoclasm or an explicit condition of disharmony in heritage (i.e., dissonant heritage). First, the Taliban did not consider the statues as "their" cultural heritage. The act of destruction, therefore, cannot be subscribed to the Afghan cultural dynamics but rather to the political-religious ideology imported by Taliban from outside of the country. Secondly, it seemed that Mullah Omar was viewing the statues as a revenue source at the beginning and as a political bargain chip at the end. In both circumstances, religion seems not to have played the main role. Lastly, the destruction seems a political iconoclasm-that is, a political exploitation, if not a direct political act. The Taliban and especially their external allies were very well aware of the consequences of the act of destruction. It seems implausible to suggest that there were no religion and/or culture in play when ordering the destruction of the statues. The latter is the least what this article aims for. However, to conclude that the destruction was solely triggered by theological and cultural factors might also be improbable. The author does not, in any way, attempt to rationalize the act of destruction, let alone justify the barbaric act.
Treatment outcome of two adjacent implant crowns with different implant platform designs in the aesthetic zone: a 1-year randomized clinical trial.

AIM To evaluate the peri-implant tissues in patients with two adjacent implant crowns in the aesthetic zone, treated with either two adjacent implants with a scalloped platform or with a flat platform. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty patients were randomly allocated to: (1) a "scalloped implant group": 20 patients treated with two adjacent implants with a scalloped platform, and (2) a "flat implant group": 20 patients treated with two adjacent implants with a flat platform. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed during a 1-year follow-up period to assess hard and soft tissue changes. RESULTS The scalloped implant group showed significantly more marginal bone loss (scalloped: 2.7±1.4 mm, flat: 0.9±0.8 mm) and more inter-implant bone crest loss (scalloped: 1.8±1.4, flat: 1.0±0.9 mm) than the flat implant group. There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to the papilla index and patients' satisfaction. CONCLUSION After 1 year of function, there was more bone loss around scalloped implants than around flat implants. With regard to the presence of papilla, there were no differences between the groups. With both applied implant designs, it is difficult to establish a predictable and harmonious aesthetic result, especially regarding the peri-implant mucosa. Patients were very satisfied with the aesthetic outcome of the adjacent implants irrespective of the treatment concept applied.
Insects on decomposing carcasses of small rodents in a secondary forest in Southeastern Brazil

The decomposition of small carcasses in the open is frequently neglected although it may provide information of forensic importance. This paper describes an experimental study of arthropod species associated with carcasses of mouse, Mus musculus (Linnaeus, 1758) and rat, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769) (Rodentia: Muridae). Four carcasses were left inside iron cages in sunlit and shady areas in a secondary forest in Southeastern Brazil twice a season for four seasons (n = 16 carcasses of each rodent). The carcasses were removed when arthropods ceased to visit them. The visiting and colonizing invertebrates were collected daily and identified. Immatures were also collected and reared in a laboratory for identification. We collected 6,514 arthropods (820 adults and 5,694 juvenile forms) belonging to 53 species from the families Sarcophagidae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Fanniidae, Syrphidae, Richardiidae, Sepsidae, Micropezidae, Otitidae, Drosophilidae, Phoridae, Dolichopodidae, Anthomyiidae, Asilidae and Lauxaniidae (Diptera), Formicidae, Ichneumonidae, Encyrtidae and Apidae (Hymenoptera), Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) and Gonyleptidae (Opiliones). Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans (Walker, 1861) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) deserve special attention because both adult and immature forms were collected in all seasons and in both areas. Our results indicate that the frequency of occurrence of these arthropods was positively associated with carcass size (mouse or rat); no marked insect succession on the carcasses occurred; and the diversity of Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae was high, irrespective of season.
Isolation, expression analysis, and functional characterization of the first antidiuretic hormone receptor in insects

Diuresis following blood-gorging in Rhodnius prolixus is the major process leading to the transmission of Chagas’ disease. We have cloned the cDNA of the first receptor known to be involved in an antidiuretic strategy in insects, a strategy that prevents diuresis. This receptor belongs to the insect CAPA receptor family known in other insects to be activated by peptides encoded within the capability gene. We characterize the expression profile in fifth-instars and find expression is localized to the alimentary canal. Highest transcript levels are found in Malpighian tubules and the anterior midgut, which are known targets of the antidiuretic hormone, RhoprCAPA-α2. Two transcripts were identified, capa-r1 and capa-r2; however, the latter encodes an atypical G protein-coupled receptor lacking a region ranging between the first and second transmembrane domain. Our heterologous expression assay revealed the expressed capa-r1 receptor is activated by RhoprCAPA-α2 (EC50 = 385nM) but not by RhoprCAPA-α1. Structural analogs of the inactive RhoprCAPA-α1 were capable of activating the expressed capa-r1 receptor, confirming the importance of the C-terminal consensus sequence common to CAPA-related peptides. In addition, this receptor has some sensitivity to the pyrokinin-related peptide, RhoprCAPA-αPK1, but with an efficacy ≈40-fold less than RhoprCAPA-α2. Other peptides belonging to the PRXamide superfamily were inactive on the capa-r1 receptor. Taken together, the neuroendocrinological relevance of this receptor in facilitating the antidiuretic strategy in R. prolixus may make this receptor a useful target for development of agonists or antagonists that could help influence the transmission of Chagas’ disease that occurs during diuresis in this medically important insect-disease vector.