Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simple Experimental Determination of Complex Permittivity or Complex Permeability of SNG Metamaterials

A very simple method of experimental determination of complex permittivity or complex permeability of single-negative (SNG) metamaterials in waveguide environment is proposed in this paper. The method uses only one measurement and it is based on the fact that any SNG material can be thought of an equivalent evanescent transmission line. The input impedance of this line is equal to the wave impedance, almost regardless of the line termination. The method was tested by measurements of complex parameters of SRR-based mu-negative (MNG) metamaterial and thin-wire-based epsilon-negative (ENG) metamaterial operating in 10 GHz frequency band and the results were found to be in good agreement with theoretical predictions
Effects of in vitro cyclic dislodging on retentive force and removal torque of three overdenture attachment systems.

BACKGROUND Mandibular two-implant-retained overdentures were suggested as first choice of treatment for edentulous mandibles. However, wear of the attachments may reduce their retention and compromise long-term clinical success. AIM The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the change in the retentive force and removal torque of three attachment systems during simulation of insertion-removal cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty custom-manufactured polyvinyl chloride blocks mimicking an implant-retained overdenture using Locator(®) -, spherical Dalbo(®) -PLUS - and SFI(®) -Bar-attachments on Straumann(®) RN Implants were fabricated. The samples were distributed equally into three groups which were subdivided into two sets of five blocks, one set with implants parallel to one another and the other with angulated implants (12°). All attachments were tightened to 35Ncm, while the fixation screws of the SFI(®) -Bar were tightened to 15Ncm. Testing was carried out with an Instron(®) universal testing machine for a total of 14,600 insertion-removal cycles in 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Retentive forces from cycles 10, 100, 1000, 5000, 10,000 and 14,600 were used for the analysis. The removal torque of the attachments was measured before and at the end of the study. Statistical analysis comprised three-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Initially, all three attachment systems demonstrated increasing retentive forces. From cycle 5000 on, Locator(®) -attachments showed lower mean retentive forces than the Dalbo(®) -PLUS and SFI(®) -Bar-groups. The Dalbo(®) -PLUS and SFI(®) -Bar-attachments showed a steady yet not significant increase during the whole observation period. Implant-angulation had no significant influence on the retention forces. The final mean removal torques were significantly reduced. No complete failure was observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Within the limits of this in vitro study, it can be concluded that the investigated overdenture attachment systems are sufficiently resistant to wear. However, the Dalbo(®) -Plus- and SFI(®) -Bar- exhibit higher retentive capacities than the Locator(®) -attachment over time. The fixation screw of the SFI(®) -Bar may loosen during long-term use, but these observations might be less important if 1-year recall intervals are respected. An angulation of up to 12° between implants does not seem to have a significant effect on attachment wear.
On Calibration of Modern Neural Networks

Confidence calibration -- the problem of predicting probability estimates representative of the true correctness likelihood -- is important for classification models in many applications. We discover that modern neural networks, unlike those from a decade ago, are poorly calibrated. Through extensive experiments, we observe that depth, width, weight decay, and Batch Normalization are important factors influencing calibration. We evaluate the performance of various post-processing calibration methods on state-of-the-art architectures with image and document classification datasets. Our analysis and experiments not only offer insights into neural network learning, but also provide a simple and straightforward recipe for practical settings: on most datasets, temperature scaling -- a single-parameter variant of Platt Scaling -- is surprisingly effective at calibrating predictions.
Profile of extrahepatic portal venous obstruction among children in Central India

Introduction There is a paucity of data regarding the clinical profile of children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) from Central India. Material and methods Retrospective analysis of 30 children with EHPVO treated between 2002 and 2012. Results The median age of presentation was 12.5 years (range 5-14 years) and median duration of symptoms was 3.2 years (range 0.3-10 years). Home delivery was noted in 30 cases (100%), umbilical sepsis in 8 (27%) and history of cow dung application over the umbilical cord in 2 cases (6.7%). Twenty-two cases (73.4%) presented with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding while 18 (60%) were referred for pancytopenia and/or hypersplenism. The patients underwent a median of 3.2 sessions of endoscopic therapy for varices. Most patients (19/30, 63.4%) dropped out of serial endotherapy due to the paucity of funds. Shunt surgery was performed in 7 patients. Conclusions Home delivery and umbilical sepsis are significant risk factors for EHPVO. Most patients present with GI bleeding and do well on endoscopic treatment/shunt surgery.
Substantial settlement in the European Early Mesolithic: new research at Star Carr

The authors rewrite the character of Early Mesolithic settlement in Europe with their new research at one of its most famous sites. The picture of small mobile pioneering groups colonising new land is thrown into contention: far from being a small hunter-gatherer camp, Star Carr in 9000 cal BC extended for nearly 2ha and involved the construction of an estimated 30m of lakeside waterfront and at least one post-built house. With some justice, they suspect that the ‘small groups’ of Early Mesolithic Europe may have their rationale in the small excavations of archaeologists.
Unemployment and happiness Successful policies for helping the unemployed need to confront the adverse effects of unemployment on feelings of life satisfaction

Many studies document a large negative effect of unemployment on happiness. Recent research has looked into factors related to impacts on happiness, such as adaptation, social work norms, social capital, religious beliefs, and psychological resources. Getting unemployed people back to work can do more for their happiness than compensating them for doing nothing. But not all unemployed people are equally unhappy. Understanding the differences holds the key to designing effective policies, for helping the unemployed back into work, and for more evenly distributing the burden of unemployment resulting from economic restructuring.
Population genetic structure of escolar ( Lepidocybium X avobrunneum )

Escolar (Lepidocybium Xavobrunneum) is a large, mesopelagic Wsh that inhabits tropical and temperate seas throughout the world, and is a common bycatch in pelagic longline Wsheries that target tuna and swordWsh. Few studies have explored the biology and natural history of escolar, and little is known regarding its population structure. To evaluate the genetic basis of population structure of escolar throughout their range, we surveyed genetic variation over an 806 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region. In total, 225 individuals from six geographically distant locations throughout the Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, South Africa) and PaciWc (Ecuador, Hawaii, Australia) were analyzed. A neighbor-joining tree of haplotypes based on maximum likelihood distances revealed two highly divergent clades ( = 4.85%) that were predominantly restricted to the Atlantic and Indo-PaciWc ocean basins. All Atlantic clade individuals occurred in the Atlantic Ocean and all but four PaciWc clade individuals were found in the PaciWc Ocean. The four Atlantic escolar with PaciWc clade haplotypes were found in the South Africa collection. The nuclear ITS-1 gene region of these four individuals was subsequently analyzed and compared to the ITS-1 gene region of four individuals from the South Africa collection with Atlantic clade haplotypes as well as four representative individuals each from the Atlantic and PaciWc collections. The four South Africa escolar with PaciWc mitochondrial control region haplotypes all had ITS-1 gene region sequences that clustered with the PaciWc escolar, suggesting that they were recent migrants from the Indo-PaciWc. Due to the high divergence and geographic separation of the Atlantic and PaciWc clades, as well as reported morphological diVerences between Atlantic and Indo-PaciWc specimens, consideration of the Atlantic and Indo-PaciWc populations as separate species or subspecies may be warranted, though further study is necessary.
The gp130/STAT3 signaling pathway mediates β‐adrenergic receptor‐induced atrial natriuretic factor expression in cardiomyocytes

β‐Adrenergic receptor (β‐AR)‐induced cardiac remodeling is closely linked with the re‐expression of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) gene. However, the exact molecular mechanism of this response remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the β‐AR agonist isoproterenol potently evokes the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and increases its transcriptional activity in an extracellularly regulated kinase 1/2 and glycoprotein (gp)130 signaling‐dependent manner in rat cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, both specific silencing of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression by lentivirus‐mediated RNA interference and antagonism of gp130 signaling lead to significant inhibition of isoproterenol‐stimulated ANF expression. Together, these results indicate that gp130/STAT3 signaling has an essential role in ANF expression by β‐AR stimulation.
The influence of perceived value on purchase intention in social commerce context

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of perceived benefits, i.e. utilitarian value, hedonic value and social value, as well as perceived risk, on purchase intention in social commerce context. ,To cast light on the factors motivating users’ intention to purchase in the context of social commerce, data of 277 users of social commerce in China were collected via an online survey. ,Results show that satisfaction significantly and positively affects users’ purchase intention in social commerce context. In addition, utilitarian, hedonic and social values have significant and positive impacts on satisfaction and purchase intention; and utilitarian value is found to be the most salient factor influencing purchase intention, while hedonic value has the greatest effect on satisfaction. Moreover, perceived risk significantly and negatively affects satisfaction. ,Extant research on social commerce has mainly focused on investigating how the general perceived value affects user behavior, but has less considered different dimensions of perceived value. Moreover, prior studies have explored the roles of utilitarian and hedonic values on user behavior; however, there is a lack of research on the effect of social value. The current study attempts to fill these research gaps.
Contrasting actions of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in distinct mouse striatal neurones

Pharmacological activation of striatal Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) increases the occurrence of GABAA‐mediated currents in striatal spiny projection neurones (SPNs). Genetically identified striatal interneurones are depolarized by Group I mGluR activation. Group I mGluR activation elevates intracellular calcium in genetically identified striatal interneurones expressing a genetically encoded calcium indicator. Group I mGluR activation results in increased intracellular calcium in SPNs only after priming with calcium influx. Combined electrophysiology and calcium imaging reveals that mGluR activation is not accompanied by depolarization in SPNs.
Langerhans cells acquire a CD8+ dendritic cell phenotype on maturation by CD40 ligation

Dendritic cell (DC) reconstitution experiments and phenotypic analysis of DC subpopu‐lations have allowed the definition in the mouse of two main DC categories: CD8+ lymphoid DCs and CD8− myeloid DCs. With regard to Langerhans cells (LCs), which represent immature DCs differentiating into mature DCs on migration to the lymph nodes after an antigenic stimulation, although classically considered as myeloid DCs, there is no experimental evidence of their origin. It has been recently shown that mouse LCs, negative for CD8 and LFA‐1, undergo CD8/LFA‐1 up‐regulation on migration, suggesting that LCs belong to the CD8+ lymphoid DC lineage. To further reinforce this hypothesis, we have analyzed the modulation of CD8 expression by LCs on culture with molecules known to induce LC maturation. Our results show that LC acquired a CD8+ lymphoid phenotype on CD40 ligation. J. Leukoc. Biol. 67: 206–209; 2000.
La oferta de exportaciones menores en Colombia, 1970 - 1992

“Este articulo presenta estimaciones de las funciones de oferta de exportaciones menores colombianas, totales por tipo de bienes, segun la clasificacion CUODE (bienes de consumo, intermedios y de capital) y CIIU (agricultura, mineria e industria) para el periodo 1970-1992. Las variables que se consideran relevantes en la especificacion de este modelo de oferta de exportaciones son: la tasa de cambio real, su volatilidad en el tiempo como indicador de incertidumbre y el cambio tecnico. Adicionalmente, se incluyo una variable que recoge los incentivos a sub-facturar exportaciones, en este caso el diferencial de tasas de interes. La incertidumbre que al exportador genera la volatilidad de la tasa de cambio y, por tanto, sus efectos en la dinamica de la actividad, obligaron a considerar dentro del modelo una variable que recogiera dichos efectos. Con el animo de analizar la importancia de la tasa de cambio real en el desempeno exportador, y para contribuir a la discusion sobre cual es la tasa de cambio relevante para incentivar la actividad exportadora, se hicieron varios ejercicios. El trabajo se divide en cuatro partes: en la primera, se hace una exposicion de los principales supuestos a considerar en la estimacion de las funciones de oferta. En la segunda parte, se presenta la especificacion del modelo asi como el metodo de calculo de cada una de las variables empleadas; en la tercera parte, se hace una sintesis de los principales resultados encontrados en las estimaciones tanto para las exportaciones menores totales. En la cuarta parte, se presentan los resultados de las pruebas de estabilidad de las funciones, y por ultimo, se exponen las conclusiones del trabajo. ”
Increased serum concentrations of interleukin‐2 receptor in the first trimester in women who later developed severe preeclampsia

BACKGROUND To determine the concentration of cytokines having an immunomodulating effect in the first trimester in women who subsequently developed preeclampsia. METHODS The serum concentrations of IL-10, TNFalpha, IL-6 and IL-2R were determined in ten women who later developed severe preeclampsia and in ten healthy controls. The groups were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS The IL-2R concentration was significantly higher in the women who later developed preeclampsia than in normal patients (p = 0.028). No significant differences were detected between the groups with respect to the other evaluated cytokines. CONCLUSION Elevated IL-2R concentrations in maternal serum as early as in the first trimester may be a sign of immunological maladaptation and might be associated with a disturbance of trophoblastic invasion.
Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head After Closed Intramedullary Shortening in an Adolescent

Summary Closed intramedullary shortening has become a popular treatment method for limb-length inequality in adolescents. An important, potentially devastating complication of closed intramedullary fixation only recently described is avascular necrosis of the femoral head. We believe alternative treatment options must be considered to avoid this irreversible and catastrophic complication. A larger series may define the inherent risks of this complication and help determine the ideal treatment for femoral shortening and stabilization in the adolescent.
Treatment of chronic liver diseases with traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine is still being extensively used for treatment of liver disease in China. The anti‐viral herbs, Phyllanthus amarus, P. niruri and P. urninaria, and Oxymatrine extracted from Sophora flavecientis and S. subprostratae, have been shown to have a remarkable HBV suppressing effect with a serum conversion rate for HBeAg and HBV DNA around 45%, similar to that of IFN‐α. The anti‐inflammatory compound, Stronger NeoMinophagen C (SNMC), is a Japanese preparation of glycerrhizin, extracted from Glyceriza glabra, which has shown an effective rate of ALT and AST normalization and reduction to < 60 U/L in 65.6% and 73.5% of patients. Compound 861, made of 10 herbs with Salvia miltiorrhiza as its chief component, has been shown experimentally to be effective in suppressing fibrogenesis, enhancing collagen degradation, and inhibiting TIMP expression. Clinically, an open trial of 2000 patients showed improvement of symptoms in 83% and normalization of serum ALT in 82%. In a controlled study of 107 patients with HBV‐related diseases, double liver biopsies showed that the fibrosis reversal rate after 6 months treatment with Cpd 861 was 78% in S2, 82% in S3 (precirrhotic stage) and 75% in S4 (early cirrhosis), as assessed by Scheuer’s and Chevallier’s criterion. In conclusion, traditional Chinese medicine has great potential in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
Factors Affecting the Decision to Defer Endotracheal Extubation After Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Fast-tracking and early endotracheal extubation have been described in patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD); however, criteria for patient selection have not been validated in a prospective manner. Our goal in this study was to prospectively identify factors associated with the decision to defer endotracheal extubation in the operating room (OR). METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of 275 patients (median age 18 months) at the Mount Sinai Medical Center (MSMC), New York, New York, and 49 patients (median age 25 months) at the University of Tokyo Hospital (UTH), Tokyo, Japan, undergoing surgery for CHD requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. These patients were all eligible for fast-tracking, including extubation in the OR immediately after surgery, according to the respective inclusion/exclusion criteria applied at the 2 sites. RESULTS: Eighty-nine percent of patients at the MSMC, and 65% of patients at the UTH were extubated in the OR. At the MSMC, all patients without aortic cross-clamp, and patients with simple procedures (Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery [RACHS] score 1) were extubated in the OR. Among the remaining MSMC patients, regression analysis showed that procedure complexity was still an independent predictor for not proceeding with planned extubation in the OR. Extubation was more likely to be deferred in the RACHS score 3 surgical risk patients compared with the RACHS score 2 group (P = 0.005, odds ratio 3.8 [CI: 1.5, 9.7]). Additionally, trisomy 21 (P = 0.0003, odds ratio 9.9 [CI: 2.9, 34.5]) and age (P = 0.0015) were significant independent predictors for deferring OR extubation. We tested our findings on the patients from the UTH by developing risk categories from the MSMC data that ranked eligible patients according to the chance of OR extubation. The risk categories proved to predict endotracheal extubation in the 49 patients who had undergone surgery at the UTH relative to their overall extubation rate, despite differences in anesthetic regimen and inclusion/exclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperatively known factors alone can predict the relative chances of deferring extubation after surgery for CHD. The early extubation strategies applied in the 2 centers were successful in the majority of cases.
Increased oxidant-induced apoptosis in cultured nondividing human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE To determine whether long-term cultured nondividing human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells are sensitive to oxidant-induced apoptosis and whether the Fas pathway is involved in the process. METHODS Confluent hRPE cells were maintained for 2 to 3 months in the basal medium (DMEM containing 2% fetal bovine serum) with one medium change per week. DNA synthesis was measured by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Intracellular glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were measured by HPLC. Apoptosis was triggered with the oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBH), recombinant soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), or agonistic anti-Fas antibody (CH-11). Cell viability was assessed by tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay, and apoptosis was determined by measuring DNA cleavage or phosphatidylserine exposure. FasL and Fas proteins were detected by flow cytometry and Western blot. FasL and Fas transcripts were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS After incubation in basal medium for more than 2 months, hRPE cells were largely nondividing and accumulated autofluorescent granules identified by electron microscopy to be lysosomes. Compared with proliferating hRPE cells, the nondividing cells had lower intracellular GSH, GSSG, and GSH/GSSG and a more oxidized redox potential (E(h)). Downregulation of Fas but upregulation of FasL was observed in these cells. The nondividing hRPE cells appeared more susceptible to tBH-induced apoptosis. Similar to proliferating hRPE cells, the apoptosis induced by tBH was preceded by induction of FasL, and antioxidants inhibited both FasL increase and apoptosis. Apoptosis was also inhibited with the antagonistic anti-Fas antibody ZB4. However, the nondividing hRPE cells had decreased sensitivity to apoptosis triggered by sFasL or CH-11. CONCLUSIONS Long-term hRPE culture created cells that were nondividing and accumulated autofluorescent granules. The increased sensitivity to tBH-induced apoptosis in these cells was associated with intracellular oxidation and upregulation of FasL. These results suggest that an increase in FasL may contribute to the vulnerability of nondividing hRPE cells to oxidant-induced apoptosis.