Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tunable Patch Antenna Printed on a Biased Nematic Liquid Crystal Cell

A nematic liquid crystal (N-LC) cell is used as a substrate to a microstrip patch antenna in order to control its resonant frequency through the use of a DC or low-frequency AC bias voltage. The dielectric tensor properties of the liquid crystal (LC) are dependent on the orientation of the LC molecules, called the directors. The directors' tilt angle is controlled by the amplitude of an externally applied electric field. A finite-difference (FD) scheme with relaxation is formulated in order to solve the highly nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) that models the directors' tilt angle in the LC. The problem of solving for the directors' field is coupled to an electrostatic boundary value problem (BVP) in a nonhomogeneous anisotropic medium. The orientation of the directors determines the constitutive parameters of the material. The HFSS is then utilized to obtain the radiation characteristics of the antenna under various bias conditions. Comparisons with measurements are provided in order to validate the proposed numerical approach and illustrate the potential use of LC's as tunable materials in microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies.
Noninvasive technique for the repeated sampling of salivary free cortisol in awake, unrestrained squirrel monkeys

The use of noninvasive measures of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis function is of growing interest among preclinical and clinical investigators. This report describes a method for the repeated assessment of salivary free cortisol in awake, unrestrained squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) based on a saliva sampling technique previously developed for rhesus monkeys. Individually housed adult male squirrel monkeys were trained to chew on dental rope attached to a pole, from which saliva was extracted by centrifugation and analyzed for cortisol by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Eight of nine monkeys readily acquired the task, reliably providing adequate saliva samples for the assay. Salivary free cortisol levels were examined in these subjects under basal conditions and in response to two types of neuroendocrine challenge. Levels of salivary free cortisol showed relatively low intra‐ and interindividual variability, with mean individual morning levels ranging between 17.1 and 37.9 µg/dl. Squirrel monkeys demonstrated a consistent daily rhythm in salivary free cortisol ranging from a high of 27.4 ± 5.2 µg/dl (mean ± SEM) at 12 P.M. to a low of 7.5 ± 1.6 µg/dl at 6 P.M. Intravenous (IV) challenges with 1 µg/kg ACTH, or 10 and 50 µg/kg CRF resulted in significant increases in salivary free cortisol. The described sampling technique provides a reliable and sensitive means for repeated measurement of HPA activity in unrestrained, awake squirrel monkeys. In addition, our findings illustrate several features of HPA system rhythmicity and reactivity using salivary cortisol instead of blood plasma or serum. Am. J. Primatol. 60:69–75, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Absence of bone over the geniculate ganglion.

D ANDY recognized that the geniculate ganglion "occasionally" protrudes through a congenital defect in the roof of the petrous temporal bone. In their book on trigeminal neuralgia, Stookey and Ransohoff 16 noted that in rare instances the petrous bone is defective over the geniculate ganglion. This fact has been considered of such minor significance that it is largely disregarded in descriptions of neurosurgical procedures for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in which the roof of the petrous temporal bone may be exposed, and it is not among the anatomical variants listed in standard anatomy textbooks, 9,x3 although it has been mentioned in the otological literature. House and Crabtree 1~ reported the incidence of this bony anomaly to be 5 %, presumably on the basis of their clinical material. Batson 3 stated that the geniculate ganglion is not covered by bone in early childhood. This project was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of dehiscence of bone over the geniculate ganglion in the adult and to make available an adequate photographic display of the phenomenon.
Children’s Folklore

Children have their own games, stories, riddles, and so forth. This book gives students and general readers an introduction to children's folklore. Included are chapters on the definition and classification of children's folklore, the presence of children's folklore in literature and popular culture, and the scholarly interpretation of children's folklore. The volume also includes a wide range of examples and texts demonstrating the variety of children's folklore around the world. Children have always had their own games, stories, riddles, jokes, and so forth. Many times, children's folklore differs significantly from the folklore of the adult world, as it reflects the particular concerns and experiences of childhood. In the late 19th century, children's folklore began receiving growing amounts of scholarly attention, and it is now one of the most popular topics among folklorists, general readers, and students. This book is a convenient and authoritative introduction to children's folklore for nonspecialists. The volume begins with a discussion of how children's folklore is defined, and how various types of children's folklore are classified. This is followed by a generous selection of examples and texts illustrating the variety of children's folklore from around the world. The book then looks at how scholars have responded to children's folklore since the 19th century, and how children's folklore has become prominent in popular culture. A glossary and bibliography round out the volume.
The Effect of Health and Penal Harm on Aging Female Prisoners' Views of Dying in Prison

With tougher sentencing laws, an increasing number of individuals are finding themselves spending their final years of life in prison. Drawing on a sample of 327 women over the age of 50 incarcerated in five Southern states, the present study investigates the relationship between numerous health variables and the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS). Qualitatively, the article also provides personal accounts from inmates that serve to reinforce death fears when engaging the prison health care system. Participants reported a mean of 6.40 on the TDAS indicating a substantial degree of death anxiety when compared to community samples. Both mental and physical health measures were important indicators of death anxiety. Qualitative information discovered that respondents' concerns about dying in prison were often influenced by the perceived lack of adequate health care and the indifference of prison staff and other instances of penal harm.
Antitumor and antifungal activities in endophytic fungi isolated from pharmaceutical plants Taxus mairei, Cephalataxus fortunei and Torreya grandis.

The purpose of this work was to screen the endophytic fungi having antitumor or antifungal activity, which were isolated from the inner barks of three kinds of pharmaceutical plants, Taxus mairei, Cephalataxus fortunei and Torreya grandis, collected from Fujian province, China. Antitumor activity was studied by the MTT assay and antifungal activity was determined by observing fungal growth inhibition. 13.4% of endophytic fungi fermentation broths displayed cytotoxic activity on HL-60 cells at and below a dilution of 1:50, and 6.4% on KB cells. 52.3% of endophytic fungi fermentation broths displayed growth inhibition on at least one pathogenic fungi, such as Neurospora sp. , Trichoderma sp. and Fusarium sp. Among all endophytic fungi isolated, the genus Paecilomyces sp. has the highest positive rate of antitumor and antifungal activity. These results indicate that endophytic fungi could be a promising source for antitumor and antifungal bioactive agents.
A Recursive Frisch Scheme Algorithm for Coloured Output Noise

Abstract: A recursive (adaptive) algorithm for the identification of dynamical linear errors-in-variables systems in the case of coloured output noise is developed. The input measurement noise variance as well as the autocovariance elements of the coloured output noise sequence are determined via two separate Newton algorithms. The model parameter estimates are obtained by a recursive bias-compensating instrumental variables algorithm with past noisy inputs as instruments, thus allowing the compensation for the explicitly computed bias at each discrete-time instance. The performance of the developed algorithm is demonstrated via simulation.
An analysis of endodontic treatment with three nickel-titanium rotary root canal preparation techniques.

AIM To investigate clinical results of root canal treatment performed with the aid of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. SUMMARY A total of 179 patients underwent root canal treatment with either (A) Lightspeed, or (B) ProFile . 04 or (C) ProFile . 04 and . 06 or GT rotary instruments to create tapered preparations. In groups A and B, laterally condensed gutta-percha and AH Plus were used. Canals in group C were obturated with System B, Obtura II and Roth's 801 sealer. Initial and recall radiographs were assessed using the periapical index (PAI). Outcomes were analysed using chi-square tests, event-time analyses and logistic regression models. Two hundred and thirty-three teeth were radiographically assessed after a mean interval of 25.4 +/- 11.8 months. Favourable outcome of treatment, defined as PAI < 3 at recall was 86.7%. Logistic regression analysis and univariate analyses indicated that teeth with preoperative PAI scores >2 and retreated teeth had a significantly lower chance of healing compared with periapically healthy teeth and primary treatments, respectively. Preparation technique, length of fill and the type of sealer did not significantly affect healing rates. KEY LEARNING POINTS Root canal treatment with NiTi root canal instrumentation systems renders favourable outcomes in more than 86% of the cases. Outcome is significantly affected by preoperative diagnoses but not by the specific choice of instrumentation system.
Medical education in Jordan

Jordan is an Arabic, Middle Eastern country that has recently experienced great development in healthcare and education. This development has happened in a short space of time, in a system suffering from limited infrastructure, insufficient faculty and limited research opportunity. The aim of this article is to give an overview on the history of Jordanian medical education and its current status. In this article, we discuss the infrastructures, admission system, curricula and academia of Jordanian medical schools, as well as recommending some ways forward.
Myasthenia gravis

We investigated the heterogeneity of serum antibodies to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) by competition with nine antihuman monoclonal antibodies in a cross-sectional study of 36 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), and in three who showed clinical improvement associated with decrease in total anti-AChR following immunologic treatment. Two specificities were more prevalent in patients without thymoma, and one of these was more prevalent in cases beginning before age 40. Some specificities were stable during serial studies, whereas others fluctuated. We found evidence of three groups of antibody specificities that had different control mechanisms and may define different regions of the receptor.
Prevention of Lingual Inclination of the Transport Segment in Vertical Distraction Osteogenesis in the Mandible

Vertical distraction osteogenesis can extend not only to hard tissues but also to soft tissues. There is a tendency to cause progressive lingual inclination of the distracted segment. This study describes a method for preventing the lingual inclination of the transport segment in patients with vertical distraction osteogenesis in the anterior region of the mandible and reports the results of long-term follow-up. The subjects included 5 patients who had severely atrophic ridges in the anterior mandible. In all cases, a part of the mental protuberance was scraped out, and the distractor was placed suitably in a labioinclination beforehand. Therefore, the transport segments did not lean to the lingual side and had long-term stability.
Therapeutic vaccines in autoimmunity

Similarly to prophylactic vaccines whose purpose is to prevent infectious diseases, therapeutic vaccines against autoimmune diseases are based on their similarity to the putative causes of the disease. We shall describe here two such examples: a copolymer of amino acids related to myelin basic protein, in the case of multiple sclerosis, and a peptide derived from the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), in the case of myasthenia gravis (MG). Copolymer 1 (Cop 1, glatiramer acetate, Copaxone) is a synthetic amino acid random copolymer, immunologically cross-reactive with myelin basic protein and suppresses experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in several animal species. Cop 1 slows the progression of disability and reduces relapse rate in exacerbating-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1996, and today is used by tens of thousands of patients. Cop 1 is a potent inducer of T helper 2 (Th2) regulatory cells in mice and humans, and Th2 cells are found both in the brains and spinal cords of Cop 1-treated mice. MG and experimental autoimmune MG are T cell-regulated, antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases. Two peptides, representing sequences of the human AChR α-subunit, p195-212 and p259-271, are immunodominant T cell epitopes in MG patients and in two strains of mice. Altered peptide ligand, composed of the tandemly arranged two single amino acid analogs, inhibits in vitro and in vivo MG-associated autoimmune responses. The active suppression is mediated by the CD4+CD25+ immunoregulatory cells and is associated with the down-regulation of Th1-type cytokines and the up-regulation of the secretion of IL-10 and the immunosuppressive cytokine, transforming growth factor β.
Efficient depletion of alloreactive donor T lymphocytes based on expression of two activation‐induced antigens (CD25 and CD69)

T lymphocytes play an important role in allogeneic bone marrow/stem cell transplantation by supporting engraftment and immune recovery. Moreover, donor T cells have been shown to mediate the so‐called graft‐versus‐leukaemia effect and are, therefore, increasingly used for adoptive immunotherapy. However, T‐cell infusions are associated with the risk of a graft‐versus‐host reaction, which may lead to a life‐threatening disease. To overcome this problem, we followed a new strategy for the exclusive depletion of alloreactive cells. We activated allogeneic T cells by cultivation on an adherent cell layer derived from peripheral blood. We then depleted activated cells based on the expression of CD25, CD69 or both activation‐induced antigens using magnetic cell sorting. Mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) reactions and helper T‐lymphocyte precursor cell frequency (HTLP‐f) assays demonstrated that this technique led to a significant decrease in alloreactivity of ‘donor’ cells, which at the same time preserved reactivity against third‐party cells. The lowest level of alloreactivity was found when CD25 and CD69 antibodies were used together for depletion. This corresponds with our observation that expression of CD25 or CD69 may partially represent different activation pathways. We conclude that ex vivo depletion of CD25‐ and CD69‐expressing alloreactive cells may help to overcome limitations of adoptive immunotherapy.
Prevalence of contact allergy by sex, race and age

Among 1873 patch tested patients, the prevalence of contact allergy was 47.1 % (421/894) in females and 51.2% (501/979) in males (N.S.) It was 46.5% (593/1274) in Chinese, 52.8% (151/286) in Malays, and 48.3% (48.3%) in Indians, there was no significant difference among these 1 races in Singapore. Prevalence among foreigners in Singapore was high (82.3% (65/79)) compared to the 3 major races. This may be due to a higher % of foreigners engaged as construction workers who are considered lo run a greater risk of contact allergy. The prevalence was significantly higher in those above 40, (60.9% (290/476)) compared to those under 40 (45.2% 1632/1397)).
On hedging European options in geometric fractional Brownian motion market model

We work with fractional Brownian motion with Hurst index H > 1/2. We show that the pricing model based on geometric fractional Brownian motion behaves to certain extend as a process with bounded variation. This observation is based on a new change of variables formula for a convex function composed with fractional Brownian motion. The stochastic integral in the change of variables formula is a Riemann–Stieltjes integral. We apply the change of variables formula to hedging of convex payoffs in this pricing model. It turns out that the hedging strategy is as if the pricing model was driven by a continuous process with bounded variation. This in turn allows us to construct new arbitrage strategies in this model. On the other hand our findings may be useful in connection to the corresponding pricing model with transaction costs.
Conception of an ultrasonic system for assistance to the diagnosis of the osteoporosis

Existing ultrasound devices for assessing the human tibia are based on detecting the first arriving signal, corresponding to a wave propagating at, or close to, the bulk longitudinal velocity in bone. However, human long bones are effectively irregular hollow tubes and should theoretically support the propagation of more complex guided modes similar to Lamb waves in plates. The present work is dedicated to a preliminary survey in order to have an approach on the interaction of the ultrasonic waves generated by focusing sensors to bone environment. In this context an ultrasonic system based on a pair of transducers (transmitter and receiver) vibrating at 100 kHz was set up to measure the wave velocity with great precision in a sample materials for the purpose of calibration before the measurement in bones. The constructed system includes a digital calliper for distance measurement with great precision and an electronic system including an emitter and a receiver circuit controlled by a programmable FPGA circuit. This latter was incorporated in the system in order to measure a shorts time flight between the two transducers. The measurement of these two parameters with a good precision will give the ultrasonic velocity between the two transducers that establish a link to mechanical parameters of the sample materials such as its thickness, density and Young modulus.
Further Observations on the Duration of Depot Neuroleptic Maintenance Therapy in Schizophrenia

Summary Two patient samples, with different criteria for selection, have been surveyed following maintenance therapy discontinuation. The patients had previously remained in a steady mental state on depot injections for periods varying between one and four years. Both the rates of relapse and pattern of relapse suggest that patients responding to medication need to remain on maintenance therapy for a minimum of four years. The results further suggest that in chronic schizophrenia the drugs only suppress symptoms and that the prognosis following discontinuation is substantially unchanged by increased duration of medication, even after four years. The possibility of using short-term ‘drug holidays’ to reduce the risk of unwanted effects was explored; after only three months without drugs, the risks of relapse were significantly increased.
Attitudes of the Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability Segment in Hungary

The aim of the research was to define the size of the Hungarian LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) consumer group by analyzing its lifestyle based on sustainable values. To achieve this goal, a representative questionnaire-based survey was carried out involving 1000 individuals in Hungary. During the value-orientated research, 25 lifestyle statements were drawn up. According to the results, five value-based segments could be distinguished. The largest cluster, the young trend followers group, reflects the characteristics of the LOHAS consumers’ lifestyle to the greatest extent. However, this segment cannot entirely be regarded as a consumer group devoted to LOHAS values, which is why a further segmentation of this group was necessary. As a result of this further segmentation, the third sub-cluster, which emphasizes the ethical (competence) statements the most, can be identified with the LOHAS consumer group, which makes up 8.7% of the Hungarian population. Further research is necessary to find out whether the situation regarding value orientation in Hungary is similar to that in other Eastern European countries whose social and cultural backgrounds are very similar. Revealing the values of the Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability segment contributes to the extension of the literature.
INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN DIABETES MELLITUS

Whereas vascular lesions in the retina and opacities in the lens in diabetes mellitus have been the subject of intensive study, comparatively little notice has been taken of variations in intraocular pressure. Ever since Heine (1903) and Krause (1904) recorded a striking hypotony of the eyeballs during diabetescoma, only scanty information on changes observed in the intraocular pressure during this disease are to be found in the literature. Grafe (1924) and Poos (1930) drew attention to the extreme variations in the blood-sugar level, considering that these reacted on the intraocular pressure when, for instance, conditions for a glaucoma were present. Martin (1951), among others, was nevertheless unable to verify these influence from the blood-sugar level. Igersheimer (1944), Philps (1946), Ortiz (1947, 1948), Weinstein (1949) and Larsen (1960) have all stressed how a changing intraocular tension could, as a mechanical factor, initiate or favour the development of diabetic retinopathy. Glaucoma would appear to occur far too frequently among diabetic patients. Such conclusions are, of course, highly dependent on our criteria for diagnosing glaucoma. But Armstrong, Daily, Dobson and Girard (1960), on the basis of a relatively permanent intraocular pressure of 23.4 mm. Hg or higher (Schiotz tension), have recently found an incidence of glaucoma in diabetes of at least 5.9 O/O. A review of earlier literature gave approximately the same incidence. In the present work a study of the diabetic eye with special reference to intraocular tension has been carried out in a limited clientele. The investigation has been divided into the following parts: applanation tonometry, Schiotz tonometry, tonography and gonioscopy.