Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of Broadband Directly Coupled Non-Centred Resonant Irises Filters

A novel type of broadband highly selective filters in waveguide technology is presented. It is based on directly coupled resonant irises filters. The position of the apertures is studied in order to obtain a filter structure easier to construct. The Mode Matching Method is used for the design and simulation of the structure. An efficient optimisation method is employed to overcome the design problems that presents the non-centred irises approach, namely, the higher order modes excited in these discontinuities that strongly modify the couplings between adjacent irises. This optimisation method is based on the estimation of these couplings, so it can be efficiently used to tune the dimensions of the initial design.
Web search strategies and human individual differences: Cognitive and demographic factors, Internet attitudes, and approaches

The research reported here was an exploratory study that sought to discover the effects of human individual differences on Web search strategy. These differences consisted of (a) study approaches, (b) cognitive and demographic features, and (c) perceptions of and preferred approaches to Web-based information seeking. Sixty-eight master's students used AltaVista to search for information on three assigned search topics graded in terms of complexity. Five hundred seven search queries were factor analyzed to identify relationships between the individual difference variables and Boolean and best-match search strategies. A number of consistent patterns of relationship were found. As task complexity increased, a number of strategic shifts were also observed on the part of searchers possessing particular combinations of characteristics. A second article (published in this issue of JASIST; Ford, Miller, & Moss, 2005) presents a combined analyses of the data including a series of regression analyses.
Analysis of Surface Plasmon Polariton Using Anisotropic Finite Elements

The anisotropic finite-element mesh is deployed in a vector finite-element method to numerically derive surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) more efficiently. The superiority of the anisotropic mesh lies in the fact that SPP modes, predictably, have a sharp field variation in the surface-normal direction, whereas the variation along the surface-tangent direction is comparably gentle. A case study on metallic fiber shows that the employment of anisotropic finite elements reduces the problem size by a factor of seven.
Dietary fibre-rich resistant starches promote ammonia detoxification in the human colon as measured by lactose-[15N2]ureide

Three resistant starches (RSs), namely fibre of potatoes (FP), wrinkle pea starch (WPS), and high amylose maize starch (HAMS) with different dietary fibre contents, were supplemented in adults to evaluate their effects on urinary nitrogen and ammonia excretion as well as on faecal nitrogen excretion by means of lactose-[15N2]ureide (15N-LU) degradation. Twenty subjects received a regular diet either without or with the supplementation of FP, WPS, and HAMS in a randomized order. After administration of 15N-LU, urine and faeces were collected over 48 and 72 h, respectively, whereas blood was collected after 6 h. The 15N-abundances were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. In comparison to the dry run, supplementation with RS significantly lowered renal 15N-excretion (dry run: 43.2 %, FP: 34.6 %, WPS: 37.9 %, HAMS: 36.4 %) as well as the corresponding 15NH3-excretion (dry run: 0.08 %, FP: 0.06 %, HAMS: 0.05 %), clearly indicating a reduced colonic nitrogen generation at high dietary fibre intake.
THE MODIFIED EXPONENTIAL-POISSON DISTRIBUTION

The two-parameter distribution known as exponential-Poisson (EP) distribution, which has decreasing failure rate, was introduced by Kus (2007). In this paper we generalize the EP distribution and show that the failure rate of the new distribution can be decreasing or increasing. The failure rate can also be upside-down bathtub shaped. We provide closed-form expressions for the density, cumulative distribution, survival and failure rate functions. The EM algorithm is used to determine the maximum likelihood estimates and the asymptotic varinces and covariances of these estimates are obtained.
An approach to select regression tests to validate .NET applications upon deployment of components upgrades

Current practice of executing entire system test suite to validate applications upon deployment of upgrades is both expensive and time consuming. The existing automatic regression tests selection techniques that recommend smaller regression test suites are dependent on availability of either source code or version change information. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a regression test strategy based on capturing and analyzing the dynamic behavior of the application. The approach recommends a smaller test suite to validate software applications upon deployment of upgrades of all types of components supplied in binaries. Methods based on dynamic analysis are more efficient as they analyze the application by executing the application according to its intended use. Based on the proposed approach, we have developed a prototype tool called InARTS that determines the impact of upgrades on . NET applications and suggests a reduced set of regression tests. Results of the case study performed on a practical application using InARTS are encouraging.
Review: The Use of Antidepressants in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: A Review of Recent Studies

Antidepressants are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for pregnant and lactating women. However, there have been some recent concerns about their safety. This article summarizes recent research on the impact of untreated depression on the baby, the effects of antidepressants on the baby when prescribed during pregnancy, the short- and longer-term effects of prenatal exposure on infants and children, and the passage of medications into breast milk. Recommendations are made on providing mothers and their health care providers with information so they can make accurate risk/benefit analyses about using these medications while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Shape optimization in mechanically reconfigurable antennas

This paper describes the optimization methodology to mechanically reshape an antenna deformable reflector with a set of actuators in order to produce a desired contoured beam. The set of actuator commands for reshaping the reflector is determined by global optimization with Simulated Annealing. The optimization consists of minimizing the maximum stresses arising in the reflector structure when it is reshaped, while Radio-Frequency (RF) performance requirements such as the Directivity (D) and the Cross-Polar Discrimination (XPD) are specified as constraints. This optimization couples a Finite Element Analysis for the calculation of both the mechanical stresses and the reflector shape response to the actuator commands, with a RF analysis to meet the coverage requirements. This process allows to very significantly reduce the maximum principal stresses in the reflector in comparison to the ones produced by a pure RF optimization. These results can be considered as enabling the technology of mechanically reconfigurable reflectors for providing enhanced flexibility of Telecom and Earth Observation missions, while guaranteeing the strength and stability of the antenna structures.
Autosomal recessive spastic tetraplegia caused by AP4M1 and AP4B1 gene mutation: Expansion of the facial and neuroimaging features

Adaptor protein complex‐4 (AP4) is a component of intracellular transportation of proteins, which is thought to have a unique role in neurons. Recently, mutations affecting all four subunits of AP4 (AP4M1, AP4E1, AP4S1, and AP4B1) have been found to cause similar autosomal recessive phenotype consisting of tetraplegic cerebral palsy and intellectual disability. The aim of this study was analyzing AP4 genes in three new families with this phenotype, and discussing their clinical findings with an emphasis on neuroimaging and facial features. Using homozygosity mapping followed by whole‐exome sequencing, we identified two novel homozygous mutations in AP4M1 and a homozygous deletion in AP4B1 in three pairs of siblings. Spastic tetraplegia, microcephaly, severe intellectual disability, limited speech, and stereotypic laughter were common findings in our patients. All patients also had similar facial features consisting of coarse and hypotonic face, bitemporal narrowing, bulbous nose with broad nasal ridge, and short philtrum which were not described in patients with AP4M1 and AP4B1 mutations previously. The patients presented here and previously with AP4M1, AP4B1, and AP4E1 mutations shared brain abnormalities including asymmetrical ventriculomegaly, thin splenium of the corpus callosum, and reduced white matter volume. The patients also had hippocampal globoid formation and thin hippocampus. In conclusion, disorders due to mutations in AP4 complex have similar neurological, facial, and cranial imaging findings. Thus, these four genes encoding AP4 subunits should be screened in patients with autosomal recessive spastic tetraplegic cerebral palsy, severe intellectual disability, and stereotypic laughter, especially with the described facial and cranial MRI features. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Network-C entric Control for Multirobot Teams in Urban Search and Rescue

Theories from Network-centric Warfare (NCW) distinguish between network-centric and platform-centric orientations to sensing and control. In platform-centric control the operator(s) access and focus on data through platforms they control, a robot’s camera, for example. In network-centric control the operator(s) do not access data through platforms but instead through the network without regard to where information originated. The conventional human role in sophisticated information gathering systems is usually as both commander (of platforms) and perceiver. Human sensory and perceptual capabilities, however, far outstrip our abilities to process information frequently making our perceptual function more critical to the mission. The use of human operators as “perceptual sensors” is standard practice for both UAVs and ground robotics where humans are called upon to “process” camera video to find targets and assist in navigation. This paper traces the evolution of an experimental human-multirobot system for Urban Search and Rescue from a platform--centric implementation in which operators navigated robots while searching for victims in streaming video to a network--centric version in which they search recorded video asynchronously. We describe two lines of research leading to our current design. In the first we identify the navigation task as both more difficult and the limiting factor in extending control to larger robot teams. In the second we found a few strategically selected images viewed asynchronously roughly comparable in performance to continuously viewed streaming video.
A 25MHz 7μW/MHz ultra-low-voltage microcontroller SoC in 65nm LP/GP CMOS for low-carbon wireless sensor nodes

The vision of the Internet of Things with ambient intelligence calls for the deployment of up to a trillion connected wireless sensor nodes (WSNs). Minimizing the carbon footprint of each node is paramount from the sustainability perspective. In ultra-low-power applications, the life-cycle carbon footprint results from a complex balance between both embodied and use-phase energies [1]. The embodied energy arises mainly from CMOS chip manufacturing, and is essentially proportional to die area. Use-phase energy depends on both active and sleep-mode power, because of long stand-by periods in WSNs. In this paper, we present an ultra-low-power 25MHz microcontroller SoC that fully exploits the versatility of a 65nm CMOS process with a low-power/general-purpose (LP/GP) transistor mix (dual-core oxide) to obtain: i) 7μW/MHz active power consumption due to a 0.4V ultra-low-voltage (ULV) thin-core-oxide (GP) CPU supplied by a 78%-efficiency embedded DC/DC converter; ii) 0.66mm2 die area for low embodied energy due to a compact converter design and a dual-VDD architecture, enabling the use of the foundry's 1V high-density 6T SRAM bitcell; and, iii) 1. 5μW sleep-mode power due to body-biased sleep transistors embedded into the converter and thick-core-oxide (LP) MOSFETs for retentive SRAM and always-on peripherals (AOP). Moreover, an on-chip adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) system controlling the converter ensures safe 25MHz operation at ULV for all PVT conditions. A multi-Vt clock tree is also proposed to achieve reliable timing closure with low-power SoC features. Finally, a glitch-masking instruction cache (I$) is implemented to reduce the access power of the 1V program memory (PMEM).
Theoretical calculations: Can Gibbs free energy for intermolecular complexes be predicted efficiently and accurately?

The theoretical study has been performed to refine the procedure for calculations of Gibbs free energy with a relative accuracy of less than 1 kcal/mol. Three benchmark intermolecular complexes are examined via several quantum‐chemical methods, including the second‐order Moller‐Plesset perturbation (MP2), coupled cluster (CCSD(T)), and density functional (BLYP, B3LYP) theories augmented by Dunnings correlation‐consistent basis sets. The effects of electron correlation, basis set size, and anharmonicity are systematically analyzed, and the results are compared with available experimental data. The results of the calculations suggest that experimental accuracy can be reached only by extrapolation of MP2 and CCSD(T) total energies to the complete basis set. The contribution of anharmonicity to the zero point energy and TΔSint values is fairly small. The new, economic way to reach chemical accuracy in the calculations of the thermodynamic parameters of intermolecular interactions is proposed. In addition, interaction energy (De) and free energy change (ΔA) for considered species have been evaluated by Carr‐Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations and static BLYP‐plane wave calculations. The free energy change along the reaction paths were determined by the thermodynamic integration/”Blue Moon Ensemble” technique. Comparison between obtained values, and available experimental and conventional ab initio results has been made. We found that the accuracy of CPMD simulations is affected by several factors, including statistical uncertainty and convergence of constrained forces (TD integration), and the nature of DFT (density functional theory) functional. The results show that CPMD technique is capable of reproducing interaction and free energy with an accuracy of 1 kcal/mol and 2–3 kcal/mol respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007
Evaluation of properties of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials mixed with disinfectant liquids

Background: Addition of disinfectant to irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials can eliminate the disinfection step to avoid dimensional changes associated with it. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of various disinfectant mixing liquids on the properties of commercially available irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials. Materials and Methods: Four commercially available irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials (Zelgan, Vignette, Tropicalgin, and Algitex) were mixed with disinfectant liquid containing chlorhexidine (0.1 and 0.2%) and sodium hypochlorite (0.1 and 0.5%). After mixing with disinfectant liquids, materials were evaluated for pH changes during gelation, gelation time, flow, gel strength, permanent deformation and detail reproduction. Results: Significant changes in gelation time were observed in irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials upon mixing with disinfectant liquids. In general, chlorhexidine increased the gelation time, whereas sodium hypochlorite reduced it. However, no significant changes in the flow were observed both with chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite. Gel strength was found to decrease when mixed with chlorhexidine, whereas an increase in gel strength was observed upon mixing with sodium hypochlorite. Permanent deformation of the most irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials was below the specification limit even after mixing with disinfectant liquids. Sodium hypochlorite significantly reduced the surface detail reproduction, whereas no change in detail reproduction was observed with chlorhexidine. Conclusion: Chlorhexidine solution can be used to mix irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials in regular dental practice as it did not significantly alter the properties. This may ensure effective disinfection of impressions.
Genomic DNA: Purification

Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be prepared from any source by three steps: cell lysis, deproteinisation, and recovery of DNA. The basic protocol needs to be adapted to the demands of the application, the number of samples to be processed, the requested yield, purity and molecular weight of the DNA, and the amount and history of the source. Traditional protocols based on the lysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate/proteinase K, extraction with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol, purification with ethanol and storage in Tris/ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid buffer are recommended for the purification of long-term stable high-molecular weight genomic DNA from freshly obtained specimens. Intact chromosomal DNA is recovered from agarose-embedded cells. Automated extraction methods are preferred for forensic applications and high-throughput processing for biobanking. The technically challenging recovery of ancient DNA needs to be optimised on a case-to-case basis, because ancient DNA is damaged and chemically modified and contains large amounts of polymerase chain reaction inhibitors. Key Concepts: The analysis of complex genomes requires the preparation of pure genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of high molecular weight. Genomic DNA can be prepared from any source by three steps: cell lysis, deproteinisation and recovery of DNA. Intact chromosomal megabase-sized DNA is purified in solid agarose to protect the DNA during preparation. DNA extraction for biobanking relies on automated systems and robotics. Automated systems have been increasingly utilised for DNA extraction by forensic laboratories to handle the growing numbers of forensic casework samples while minimising the risk of human errors and assuring high reproducibility. The recovery of ancient DNA from palaeontological specimens is a demanding task, because ancient DNA is damaged and chemically modified and contains large amounts of PCR inhibitors that interfere with DNA amplification that are copurified with the DNA. Keywords: agarose-embedded DNA ; ancient DNA ; biobanking; forensic medicine; palaeontology; high molecular weight DNA
Postoperative pain and respiratory function in patients treated with electroacupuncture following coronary surgery.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate respiratory function and pain score in patients undergoing coronary bypass procedures during the first 7 postoperative days. METHODS The study was carried out as a case-control study between April 2008 and April 2009 in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey. Thirty patients, who had undergone a median sternotomy (MS) for coronary artery bypass graft, were randomized to either the electroacupuncture and pharmacologic analgesia (acupuncture) group, or the pharmacologic analgesia alone (control) group. In each group, severity of pain, analgesic intake, respiratory function, and pulmonary complications were recorded. Pethidine hydrochloride and metamizole sodium were administered. RESULTS Of the 30 subjects, 15 were in the control group and 15 in the acupuncture group. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age and gender. Statistically significant differences in metamizole, pethidine, days 3, 5, 6, and 7 visual analogue scale scores were observed between the acupuncture and control groups. Postoperative complications (atelectasia) were observed in 2 (13.3%) patients, one (6.6%) in each group. The postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity value was higher than the preoperative value in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture was more effective than control treatments in decreasing pain and limiting opioid and non-opioid medication intake during the first 7 postoperative days following MS.
Neuroprotection by Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Is Mediated by Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase*

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays a pivotal role during development and in the homeostasis of the adult nervous systems. However, mechanisms that regulate neuronal apoptosis are not well defined. Here, we report that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protects cortical neurons against apoptosis induced by camptothecin or serum deprivation and activates the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathways. Using pharmacological agents and transient transfection with dominant interfering or constitutive active components of the ERK or the PI 3-kinase pathway, we demonstrate that the ERK pathway plays a major role in BDNF neuroprotection against camptothecin. Furthermore, ERK is activated in cortical neurons during camptothecin-induced apoptosis, and inhibition of ERK increases apoptosis. In contrast, the PI 3-kinase pathway is the dominant survival mechanism for serum-dependent survival under normal culture conditions and for BDNF protection against serum withdrawal. These results suggest that the ERK pathway is one of several neuroprotective mechanisms that are activated by stress to counteract death signals in central nervous system neurons. Furthermore, the relative contribution of the ERK and PI 3-kinase pathways to neuronal survival may depend on the type of cellular injury.
Chronic cigarette smoke extract treatment selects for apoptotic dysfunction and mitochondrial mutations in minimally transformed oral keratinocytes

Cigarette smoke demonstrates a carcinogenic effect through chronic exposure, not acute exposures. However, current cell line models study only the acute effects of cigarette smoke. Using a cell line model, we compared the effects of acute versus chronic cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on mitochondria in minimally transformed oral keratinocytes (OKF6). OKF6 cells were treated with varying concentrations of CSE for 6 months. Cells were analyzed monthly by flow cytometry for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cytochrome c release, caspase 3 activation and viability after CSE exposure. At each time point, the same assays were performed after 24 hr of valinomycin (MMP‐depolarizing agent) treatment. The mitochondrial DNA of chronically CSE‐treated cells was sequenced. After 6 months of CSE treatment, the cells were increasingly resistant to CSE‐mediated and valinomycin‐induced cell death. In addition, chronic CSE treatment caused chronic depolarization of MMP, cytochrome c release and caspase activation. Cells grown in the presence of only CSE vapor also exhibited the same resistance and chronic baseline apoptotic activation. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing found that chronic CSE‐treated cells had more amino acid‐changing mitochondrial mutations than acutely treated cells. CSE treatment of normal cells select for apoptotic dysfunction as well as mitochondrial mutations. These findings suggest that chronic tobacco exposure induces carcinogenesis via selection of apoptosis resistance and mitochondrial mutation in addition to previously known genotoxic effects that were found by acute treatments. Chronic models of tobacco exposure on upper aerodigestive epithelia may be more insightful than models of acute exposure in studying head and neck carcinogenesis