Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transient analysis of radiation for high gain and directivity antennas

The time domain analysis of scattering field for high gain and directivity antennas are presented in this paper. A time domain (TD) transient analysis of the electromagnetic (EM) fields scattered from a perfectly conducting parabolic reflector antenna when it is illuminated by impulsive plane wave and general astigmatic Gaussian Beam (GB) fields, then elliptical reflector antenna illuminated by impulsive plane wave. The potential applications of near-field antennas continue to grow dramatically and desire more exploration in the near future. Phased array antennas for near field focusing radiation are also presented in this paper.
Chronic thromboembolic and pulmonary arterial hypertension share acute vasoreactivity properties.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are the major classes of pulmonary hypertensive disorders according to the World Health Organization; both lead to right heart failure and death. A better understanding of disease mechanisms has led to the suggestion that the thromboembolic and nonthromboembolic types of pulmonary hypertension may share pathophysiologic features. We therefore compared acute vasoreactivity and proximal pulmonary artery compliance in patients with PAH and CTEPH during the initial diagnostic heart catheterization. METHODS Right heart catheterization using a flow-directed Swan-Ganz catheter was performed in patients with CTEPH (n = 22) and PAH (n = 35). Pulmonary hemodynamics were assessed at baseline, during the inhalation of 40 ppm of nitric oxide, and 30 min after the inhalation of 10 mug of iloprost. To assess the proximal pulmonary artery compliance, the pulse pressure (PP) [systolic-diastolic pressure] and the fractional PP (PPf) [divided by the mean pressure] were calculated. RESULTS Both vasodilators produced similar hemodynamic improvement, and the difference between CTEPH and PAH was not significant. The baseline PP and PPf did not vary between the two groups. CONCLUSION Patients with PAH and CTEPH show similar acute vasoreactivity to inhaled nitric oxide and iloprost, and have similar pulmonary artery compliance. These findings support the presence of some shared pathophysiologic pathways in both disorders and may lead to therapeutic implications in patients with inoperable CTEPH.
Antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic potential of the ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae)

Ethanol extract (EE) and fractions obtained from the ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum were examined in order to determine their phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, antibacterial activities and cytotoxic potential. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with DAD analysis indicated that caffeic and chlorogenic acids were the main phenolic compounds present in the EE, dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (Ac) fractions. The antioxidant activity assessed by the scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical was significantly more pronounced for DCM and Ac fractions than that of the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT). EE and fractions exhibited selective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, especially the hexane (Hex) and DCM fractions. EE and fractions exhibited low toxicity towards the LLC-MK2 cell line, especially the Hex, DCM and Ac fractions. This work provides the knowledge of phenolic composition in the extract and fractions from the ripe fruits of S. lycocarpum and their antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.
Adipose Triglyceride Lipase (ATGL) Expression Is Associated with Adiposity and Tumor Stromal Proliferation in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Obesity is an established risk factor for the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the pathophysiology of how increased adiposity increases the risk for PDAC has not been fully elucidated. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is a lipase that catabolizes triglyceride hydrolysis and has been implicated in the development of breast cancer. We hypothesized that overweight patients with PDAC would demonstrate higher tumor ATGL expression compared to non-overweight patients with PDAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemical analysis for ATGL expression was performed on PDAC tissues from 44 patients after Whipple procedure or distal pancreatectomy. Correlation of ATGL expression with clinicopathological features was evaluated. RESULTS A total of 23/44 (52.2%) PDACs showed low level ATGL immunoreactivity, while 21/44 (47.8%) showed a high level, with moderate to strong positive ATGL immunoreactivity in more than 50% of the tumor cells. Chi-squared testing revealed a statistically significant association between high ATGL expression and both BMI >25 kg/m2 (χ2=5.74, p=0.017) and increased tumor stroma (χ2=19.14, p<0.001). Chi-squared testing failed to reveal a statistically significant association when comparing ATGL expression by lymph node metastasis, histological grade, tumor size, patient age, patient sex and presence of fat invasion. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that increased ATGL expression is associated with increased adiposity and stromal proliferation in patients with PDAC, making it a possible key protein in how obesity increases the risk of PDAC.
MRI characterization of myocardial tissue in patients with Fabry's disease.

OBJECTIVE Fabry's disease is a multisystem X-linked disorder of lysosomal metabolism frequently associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. In this study, we aimed to assess whether myocardial T2 relaxation time determined by a black blood multiecho multishot MRI sequence could be used to evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with Fabry's disease. CONCLUSION Myocardial T2 relaxation time is prolonged in patients with Fabry's disease compared with that of hypertrophic patients and healthy control subjects. MRI may be useful for the characterization of myocardial tissue in patients with Fabry's disease.
End or Means—The “What” and “How” of Observed Intentional Actions

Action understanding and learning are suggested to be mediated, at least in part, by the human mirror neuron system (hMNS). Static images as well as videos of actions with the outcome occluded have been shown to activate the hMNS. However, whether the hMNS preferentially responds to end or means of an action remains to be investigated. We, therefore, presented subjects with videos of intentional actions that were shown from two perspectives (factor 1, perspective: first vs. third person) while subjects directed their attention to the means or the end thereof (factor 2, task: means vs. end). End- or means-related changes in BOLD signal and corticospinal excitability (CSE) were assessed using fMRI and TMS, respectively. Judging the means of an action compared with its end differentially activated bilateral ventral premotor (vPMC) and inferior parietal cortex (IPL), that is, the core regions of the hMNS. The reverse contrast revealed left precuneus and bilateral superior frontal, angular, and middle temporal gyrus activity. In accordance, the two tasks, although identically in stimulus properties, modulated CSE differentially. Although recent studies suggest that the hMNS may prefer the presence of a goal or context, our data show that within the same context, it responds preferentially when attention is directed to the action means. Consequently, in addition to inferring action goals, a key function of the hMNS may be to anticipate the trajectories and dynamics of observed actions, which is a prerequisite for any timely interaction.
Understanding the dynamics of health policy change

This thesis examines the dynamics of health policy change and uses Discursive Institutionalism (DI), explained in Chapter 2, as a lens to examine the empirical case of primary health policy in Tasmania, Australia. Health policy internationally has been slow to change from an emphasis on treating ill health to a broader focus on health improvement. There is a growing awareness that health is partly socially determined and poor health follows the gradient of relative disadvantage such that more equitable populations have better health overall. The discursive nature of the debate regarding the causes of ill health highlights the need to analyse competing frames and values that shape contemporary health policy. A DI approach is applied in the study because its emphasis on the dynamics of change provides significant insights into policy debates central to this thesis. The dissertation employs a case study approach that examines material relating to the Tasmania Health Plan (THP) in the period between September 2005 and May 2010. Tasmania has a population of 500,000 and relatively poor health outcomes compared with other Australian jurisdictions. The THP is intentional in taking a multi-agency and multi-strategy approach to improve the health of the Tasmanian population. The thesis concludes that DI is a useful theoretical lens to observe the dynamics of health policy change in practice, particularly with the diversity and volume of actors and organisations, the structures of communication, and the multiple discourses. It shows that there is potential for expertise and honest brokerage to facilitate the best outcomes between governments, citizens and private and not for profit organisations. Acknowledging complexity and adapting locally. This could open the opportunity for a revival of a civil society discourse, and an investment in policymaking leadership and capability.
Trends in attitudes toward people living with HIV, homophobia, and HIV transmission knowledge in Quebec, Canada (1996, 2002, and 2010)

Abstract People living with HIV (PWHIV) face negative attitudes that isolate and discourage them from accessing services. Understanding negative attitudes and the social environment can lead to more effective health promotion strategies and programs. However, a scale to measure attitudes has been lacking. We developed and validated attitudes toward PWHIV Scale to examine trends in attitudes toward PWHIV in Quebec in 1996, 2002, and 2010. We also examined the relationship between negative attitudes toward PWHIV, homophobia, and knowledge about HIV transmission. The scale included 16 items and had a five-factor structure: F1 (fear of being infected), F2 (fear of contact with PWHIV), F3 (prejudicial beliefs toward groups at high risk of HIV), F4 (tolerance regarding sexual mores and behaviors), and F5 (social support for PWHIV). The validity and reliability of the scale were assessed and found to be high. Overall, Quebecers had positive attitudes toward PWHIV, with more negative attitudes observed in subgroups defined as male,≥50 years of age,<14 years of education, higher levels of homophobia, and below-average knowledge about HIV transmission. Scores were stable between 1996 and 2002, and increased in 2010. Negative attitudes were correlated with higher levels of homophobia and lesser knowledge about HIV transmission. The lowest scores for each factor were observed in the same subgroups that had low overall scores on the Attitudes Scale. The findings from this study can be used to intensify interventions that promote compassion for PWHIV, address attitudes toward homosexuality, and encourage greater knowledge about the transmission of HIV in these subgroups.
Inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia in vascular grafts by sustained perivascular delivery of paclitaxel.

BACKGROUND Neointimal hyperplasia occurs commonly at the anastomoses of arteriovenous grafts for chronic hemodialysis, causing stenosis and occlusion. Antiproliferative drugs may be effective in inhibiting hyperplasia, but local drug delivery would be required to minimize systemic side effects. We examined the feasibility of local drug delivery to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia at dialysis grafts in a canine model. METHODS Bilateral polytetrafluoroethylene loop grafts (10-cm length and 6-mm internal diameter) were placed between the femoral artery and ipsilateral femoral vein of five mongrel dogs. At the time of surgery or 1 to 5 weeks later, 2 mL of a thermosensitive biodegradable copolymer (ReGel) mixed with 0.26 mg or 0.65 mg paclitaxel were applied to the external surface of one graft around the anastomoses to provide a depot for sustained release of the drug. ReGel alone without paclitaxel was applied to the contralateral graft as a control. The grafts and the connecting vessels were explanted at eight or nine weeks, and the cross-sections were examined histologically. The degree of hyperplasia at the anastomoses was graded by five blinded independent reviewers, with scores ranging from 0 to 5. RESULTS The median (25th-75th percentile) hyperplasia score of both arterial and venous anastomoses was 1.80 (0.90-3.05) in the grafts treated with ReGel alone, and 0.95 (0.70-1.50) in the grafts treated with ReGel/paclitaxel (N= 8; P < 0.05 by Wilcoxon signed rank test). There were no noticeable localized or systemic complications attributed to the treatments in these animals. Paclitaxel levels in the plasma obtained from forelimb veins were undetectable (<10 ng/mL). CONCLUSION These results suggest that the local delivery of antiproliferative agents using a thermosensitive, injectable biodegradable copolymer (ReGel) for sustained delivery is a promising strategy to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia of arteriovenous hemodialysis grafts.
More to Lose: The Attributes of Involuntary Bankruptcy

While the majority of those who declare bankruptcy do so voluntarily, a significant proportion are forced into bankruptcy as a result of legal action. This paper interrogates data obtained from the Australian Financial Security Authority to explore the attributes of debtors who go bankrupt involuntarily. Based on this analysis, the authors hypothesise that people who go bankrupt involuntarily are those who have more to lose by going bankrupt – such as a family home, a business venture or a managerial or professional occupation – meaning that they are more likely to resist bankruptcy until they are forced into it by their creditors.
A new measure of liquidity premium

Financial forwards and futures allow banks to align mismatched cash inflows and outflows arising from the activities of their clients in the real economy. Even with these contracts, however, banks can achieve only imperfect offsetting of cashflows, leaving them bearing residual liquidity risk. Banks charge a price for bearing this risk which is not directly measureable. Owing to the different cash-flow characteristics of the two types of contract, this liquidity-risk premium is embodied in the price difference between futures and forwards in interest rates and in foreign exchange. The premium can be measured indirectly from market data, and aids in an understanding of two asset-pricing anomalies of monetary economics.
Overlooked and Underserved: “Action Signs” for Identifying Children With Unmet Mental Health Needs

OBJECTIVE: The US Surgeon General has called for new approaches to close the mental health services gap for the large proportion of US children with significant mental health needs who have not received evaluation or services within the previous 6 to 12 months. In response, investigators sought to develop brief, easily understood, scientifically derived “warning signs” to help parents, teachers, and the lay public to more easily recognize children with unmet mental health needs and bring these children to health care providers' attention for evaluation and possible services. METHOD: Analyses of epidemiologic data sets from >6000 children and parents were conducted to (1) determine the frequency of common but severely impairing symptom profiles, (2) examine symptom profile frequencies according to age and gender, (3) evaluate positive predictive values of symptom profiles relative to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnoses, and (4) examine whether children with 1 or more symptom profiles receive mental health services. RESULTS: Symptom-profile frequencies ranged from 0.5% to 2.0%, and 8% of the children had 1 or more symptom profile. Profiles generated moderate-to-high positive predictive values (52.7%–75.4%) for impairing psychiatric diagnoses, but fewer than 25% of children with 1 or more profiles had received services in the previous 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Scientifically robust symptom profiles that reflect severe but largely untreated mental health problems were identified. Used as “action signs,” these profiles might help increase public awareness about children's mental health needs, facilitate communication and referral for specific children in need of evaluation, and narrow the child mental health services gap.
The Impact of Disability on Earnings and Labour Force Participation in Canada: Evidence from the 2001 PALS and from Canadian Case Law

Using Statistics Canada’s 2001 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) we examine the impact of disability on the annual earnings and labour force participation of Canadian men and women. Our estimates show large earnings penalties associated with disability ranging from 21 percent for mild disabilities to over 50 percent for very severe disabilities. We also find that disability is associated with a 30 percentage point reduction in labour force participation Our estimates of the impact of disability are comparable to other studies for more severe disability but our estimates of the impact of milder disabilities are substantially and significantly larger. This difference likely reflects improvements in the PALS design over previous Canadian surveys in accurately identifying mild disability versus non-disability. It is also a possibility that over the economic expansion of the 1990s, disabled individuals in the Canadian labour market fell behind their able bodied counterparts.
Empowering Students to Develop L2 Identity - Supplemental Online Lessons

As an immigrant, learning English is part of acculturating to the new culture. From this process, a new identity emerges in the context of the new language and culture. Currently, identity issues and intercultural competence are explicit objectives in language learning. The implications of neglecting identity formation in second language acquisition include vulnerability to culture shock, mental health issues, and the inability to thrive. The unique set of needs, motivations, and strengths of immigrant English language learners should inform language instruction design in order to achieve sustainable and equitable successful language learning and acculturation. Explicitly designing instruction that incorporates issues of identity into the curriculum effectively considers the students’ communicative goals and intercultural competence, and better prepares students to face the challenges of acculturative stress. The purpose of the field project is to provide instructors with supplemental online lessons that address issues of identity, to complement and enrich the classroom content and expand practices towards more learner-centered practices to provide more engaging and meaningful learning. The field project is composed of a series of supplemental lessons for an intermediate reading and writing level credit course at the community college level. Each lesson includes selfdirected activities for the students to complete independently online. Also, each lesson is accompanied by a teacher guide to frame and integrate the lesson with the classroom practice, methods of assessment, and a reflection prompt to encourage the teacher’s reflective practice. As the needs of students change over time and in response to immigration and economic trends, the field of TESOL is evolving towards a more inclusive environment of the diverse background and experiences of the student and teacher population. Language learning has
Entrepreneurial Mindset : a Synthetic Literature Review

Objective: The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in research on entrepreneurial mindset (EM). The paper identifies research areas which have contributed to the current status of the EM concept, outlines areas which remain under-addressed and suggests areas for future research. Research Design & Methods: A comprehensive method of a synthetic literature review was employed. In a four-step process, relevant papers were identified and classified. Research methods and sampling were analysed and put into a perspective of the EM concept development. Based on that, recommendations for future research are presented. Findings: No commonly shared EM concept was found. Instead, scholars have contributed largely by depicting particular attributes of EM. These attributes can be divided into core attributes of EM and meta-cognitive attributes of EM. While core attributes are easier to recognize and exhibited through behaviour, meta-cognitive attributes are more hidden within an individual. Mainly the Anglo-American perspective influences the research on EM. The dominating research design methods remain quantitative. Only one longitudinal and one qualitative study using in-depth interviews were identified in the pool. Links to other research areas are provided. Implications & Recommendations: The EM concept might be investigated further with the inclusion of more other cultures or with people from other cultural backgrounds to test the validity of the existing assumptions. Contribution & Value Added: This literature review contributes to the current body of knowledge by giving an overview of the EM concept and its attributes and associated qualities. It identifies current gaps in research and provides recommendations on how to close them.
Role of Amino Acid Insertions on Intermolecular Forces between Arginine Peptide Condensed DNA Helices

Background: Arginine-rich salmon protamine does not condense DNA in sperm as densely as expected from the number of arginines. Results: Inserting neutral and negatively charged amino acids into model hexa-arginine peptides decreases attraction between DNA helices. Conclusion: DNA packing efficiency in sperm nuclei depends on amino acid composition. Significance: Mispackaging because of protamine chemistry has strong biological implications for DNA damage in sperm. In spermatogenesis, chromatin histones are replaced by arginine-rich protamines to densely compact DNA in sperm heads. Tight packaging is considered necessary to protect the DNA from damage. To better understand the nature of the forces condensing protamine-DNA assemblies and their dependence on amino acid content, the effect of neutral and negatively charged amino acids on DNA-DNA intermolecular forces was studied using model peptides containing six arginines. We have previously observed that the neutral amino acids in salmon protamine decrease the net attraction between protamine-DNA helices compared with the equivalent homo-arginine peptide. Using osmotic stress coupled with x-ray scattering, we have investigated the component attractive and repulsive forces that determine the net attraction and equilibrium interhelical distance as a function of the chemistry, position, and number of the amino acid inserted. Neutral amino acids inserted into hexa-arginine increase the short range repulsion while only slightly affecting longer range attraction. The amino acid content alone of salmon protamine is enough to rationalize the forces that package DNA in sperm heads. Inserting a negatively charged amino acid into hexa-arginine dramatically weakens the net attraction. Both of these observations have biological implications for protamine-DNA packaging in sperm heads.