Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of defective elements in an X band array antenna from its near field measurements

An algorithm has been used to detect defective elements errors in array antennas. It has been applied to an X band slot array antenna and good results have been obtained. These have enabled the detection of errors in the manufacture process. We have used spherical near field measurements of the radiated field of the antenna. Then, once the equivalent currents are be obtained, an analysis of these results will be made in order to detect possible mistakes.
Lipid ratios, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma as parameters in assessing cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus -

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Diabetes alters the utilization of lipids and lipoproteins which lead to diabetes induced atherogenic dyslipidemia, one of the most important risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The relationship between elevation of serum lipids and vascular complications of diabetes has long been of interest. The use of LDL-c alone for assessment of cardiovascular risk would ignore the TG-rich lipoproteins. Lipid ratios, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma have been found to indicate an atherogenic risk and are better predictors of cardiovascular risk than lipids alone. Hence the present study is taken up to evaluate the lipid ratios, atherogenic coefficient, atherogenic index of plasma in assessing the CV risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This case-control prospective study included three groups. (Group 1: control, group II: T2DM without complications, group III: T2DM with complications, n=25). Total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-c were analysed using commercially available kits on spectrophotometer. Nitric oxide was estimated spectrophotometrically by Griess method. VLDL, LDL, Lipid ratios, non-HDL cholesterol, AC and AIP were calculated in all the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: All of the atherogenic indices were found to be significantly different upon comparing these indices in both patients and control groups. Conclusions: The ratios contribute significantly to the estimation of CVD risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus especially, when the absolute values of lipid profile seem normal or not markedly deranged or in centres with insufficient resources.
Influence of folic acid on plasma homocysteine levels & arterial endothelial function in patients with unstable angina.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE High plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels are known to be associated with coronary artery disease, but the precise level associated with an increased risk is yet controversial. Whether the beneficial effects of folic acid on arterial endothelial function persist over longer periods is not known. This study was carried out to assess whether folic acid supplementation could produce improvements in Hcy levels and arterial endothelial function in the patients with unstable angina (UA) and hyperhomocysteinaemia. METHODS The plasma Hcy levels of 52 cases with UA and 30 control subjects were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection, plasma folic acid and vitamin B(12) levels were also measured. The patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia were treated with 5 mg of folic acid for 8 wk, and then rechecked the plasma levels of Hcy, folic acid and vitamin B(12) at the end of 4(th) and 8(th) wk. Arterial endothelial function was measured as flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound in 22 cases with UA and hyperhomocysteinaemia before and after folic acid treatment. RESULTS The plasma Hcy level was significant higher in the patients with UA than in the controls (19.2 +/- 4.9 vs 10.7 +/- 5.3 micromol/l, P<0.01). The plasma levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 were significant lower in the patients with UA than in the controls. There were 22(42.3%) patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia in UA group. After 4 and 8 wk of administration of folic acid, the Hcy level reduced by 20.3 and 55.3 per cent in the UA patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia, respectively. Flow-mediated dilation also improved significantly, from 6.4 +/- 1.9 to 9.0 +/- 1.2 per cent (P<0.05) after 8 wk treatment with folic acid. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION Plasma Hcy level was elevated in patients with UA. Folic acid can reduce the plasma Hcy levels and improve arterial endothelial function in the UA patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia.
Causal VVs in Mandarin

Many verbal predicates in Mandarin have two parts that can be separated by at most the markers of the positive and negative potential form, de and bu (Chao 1968, Hashimoto 1971, Thompson 1973, Li and Thompson 1981). Call such predicates VVs (Lu 1977), committing to nothing with this name. VVs come in various types, to be reviewed briefly in section 3. This chapter will concentrate on VVs which I will call causal (Li and Thompson 1981), such as those in (1) and (2). These imply a causal relation between two distinct events, those of the first and second verb. For example, (1a) implies that a kicking caused a snapping and (2a) implies that a chilling caused an illness.
Comparison of bacteria isolated from emergency department patients versus hospitalized patients.

PURPOSE The frequencies and corresponding susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients in the emergency department (ED) were compared with those from hospitalized patients. METHODS A microbiology laboratory report of all positive bacterial cultures obtained in the ED, regardless of the source (e.g., blood, urine, sputum), was obtained. In the case of duplicate cultures, only the first isolate cultured from a single patient was included. Colonization-site cultures (e.g., nasal swabs) and culture reports identified by the laboratory as contaminant organisms were excluded from the evaluation. Antimicrobial susceptibility results were then compiled into a standardized ED-specific antibiogram. Antimicrobial susceptibilities for each pathogen in the ED antibiogram were compared with those in the hospitalwide antibiogram. If there was a difference of ≥5% between the susceptibility of a single antimicrobial agent, chi-square tests were conducted, and unadjusted odds ratios were calculated. Pathogens with fewer than 30 isolates were excluded from the susceptibility comparison. RESULTS A total of 3140 cultures were evaluated (1417 from the ED, 1723 from the hospital). The frequencies of pathogens isolated in the ED and hospitalwide were similar, with the exception of Escherichia coli, which were more commonly isolated in ED patients, and Enterococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which were more common in hospitalized patients. Significant differences in susceptibility profiles were identified for Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Enterococcus faecalis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSION Significant differences in the frequencies of bacteria isolated and corresponding susceptibilities were found in cultures obtained in ED patients compared with those obtained in hospitalized patients.
Sciatic nerve regeneration in rats induced by transplantation of in vitro differentiated bone‐marrow stromal cells

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat and muscle. We now demonstrate that MSCs can be induced to differentiate into cells with Schwann cell characteristics, capable of eliciting peripheral nervous system regeneration in adult rats. MSCs treated with beta‐mercaptoethanol followed by retinoic acid and cultured in the presence of forskolin, basic‐FGF, PDGF and heregulin, changed morphologically into cells resembling primary cultured Schwann cells and expressing p75, S‐100, GFAP and O4. The MSCs were genetically engineered by transduction with retrovirus encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP), and then differentiated by treatment with factors described above. They were transplanted into the cut ends of sciatic nerves, which then responded with vigorous nerve fibre regeneration within 3 weeks of the operation. Myelination of regenerated fibers by GFP‐expressing MSCs was recognized using confocal and immunoelectron microscopy. The results suggest that MSCs are able to differentiate into myelinating cells, capable of supporting nerve fibre re‐growth, and they can therefore be applied to induce nerve regeneration.
The novel Lyme borreliosis vaccine VLA15 shows broad protection against Borrelia species expressing six different OspA serotypes

We have previously shown that the Outer surface protein A (OspA) based Lyme borreliosis vaccine VLA15 induces protective immunity in mice. Herein, we report the induction of protective immunity by VLA15 with mouse models using ticks infected with B. burgdorferi (OspA serotype 1), B. afzelii (OspA serotype 2) and B. bavariensis (OspA serotype 4) or with in vitro grown B. garinii (OspA serotype 5 and 6) for challenge. For B. garinii (OspA serotype 3), we have developed a growth inhibition assay using chicken complement and functional antibodies targeting B. garinii (OspA serotype 3) could be demonstrated after immunization with VLA15. Furthermore, following three priming immunizations, a booster dose was administered five months later and the induction of immunological memory could be confirmed. Thus, the antibody titers after the booster dose were increased considerably compared to those after primary immunization. In addition, the half-lives of anti-OspA serotype specific antibodies after administration of the booster immunization were longer than after primary immunization. Taken together, we could show that VLA15 induced protection in mice against challenge with four different clinically relevant Borrelia species (B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, B. garinii and B. bavariensis) expressing five of the six OspA serotypes included in the vaccine. The protection data is supported by functional assays showing efficacy against spirochetes expressing any of the six OspA serotypes (1 to 6). To our knowledge, this is the first time a Lyme borreliosis vaccine has been able to demonstrate such broad protection in preclinical studies. These new data provide further promise for the clinical development of VLA15 and supports our efforts to provide a new Lyme borreliosis vaccine available for global use.
PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMORS: CLINICAL and NEUROPATHOLOGICAL RESULTS

Abstract Fourteen patients with malignant brain tumors were treated 17 times with photodynamic treatment following either intravenous, selective intraarterial or direct intratumoral injection of Photofrin II. In eight patients the photodynamic treatment was followed immediately by single dose radiation of 4 Gy of ionizing radiation. The three injection modalities resulted in 2.5 μ. g. 3.2 μ. g and 9.8 μ,g g−1 tumor tissue respectively after 3 days. The histological examination immediately after light irradiation after intravenous and intra‐arterial injection demonstrated a predominantly vascular and cellular effect whereas the direct injection resulted in a direct cellular effect with little effect on vascular structures.
L‐694,247: a potent 5‐HT1D receptor agonist

1 The 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) receptor binding selectivity profile of a novel, potent 5‐HT1D receptor agonist, L‐694,247 (2‐[5‐[3‐(4‐methylsulphonylamino)benzyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl]‐1H‐indole‐3‐yl]ethylamine) was assessed and compared with that of the 5‐HT1‐like receptor agonist, sumatriptan. 2 L‐694,247 had an affinity (pIC50) of 10.03 at the 5‐HT1D binding site and 9.08 at the 5‐HT1B binding site (sumatriptan: pIC50 values 8.22 and 5.94 respectively). L‐694,247 retained good selectivity with respect to the 5‐HT1A binding site (pIC50 = 8.64), the 5‐HT1C binding site (6.42), the 5‐HT2 binding site (6.50) and the 5‐HT1E binding site (5.66). The pIC50 values for sumatriptan at these radioligand binding sites were 6.14, 5.0, < 5.0 and 5.64 respectively. Both L‐694,247 and sumatriptan were essentially inactive at the 5‐HT3 recognition site. 3 L‐694,247, like sumatriptan, displayed a similar efficacy to 5‐HT in inhibiting forskolin‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase in guinea‐pig substantia nigra although L‐694,247 (pEC50 = 9.1) was more potent than sumatriptan (6.2) in this 5‐HT1D receptor mediated functional response. L‐694,247 (pEC50 = 9.4) was also more potent than sumatriptan (6.5) in a second 5‐HT1D receptor mediated functional response, the inhibition of K+‐evoked [3H]‐5‐HT release from guinea‐pig frontal cortex slices. 4 The excellent agreement observed for L‐694,247 between the 5‐HT1D radioligand binding affinity and the functional potency confirm that the two functional models (the inhibition of forskolin‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase in guinea‐pig substantia nigra and the inhibition of K+‐evoked [3H]‐5‐HT release from guinea‐pig frontal cortex) do indeed reflect 5‐HT1D‐mediated events. 5 L‐694,247 is a novel, highly potent 5‐HT1D/5‐HT1B receptor ligand which should prove useful for the exploration of the physiological role of these receptors in animals.
Neural Networks of Motor and Cognitive Inhibition are Dissociated Between Brain Hemispheres: An fMRI Study

Paradigms exploring cognitive inhibition involve motor responses, which may confound the results. We compare cognitive inhibition activation obtained without motor involvement, to motor inhibition alone, in a group of young right-handed volunteers, utilizing a classical color Stroop task (CST), and a Stop Task. Comparison of fMRI activation was performed contrasting lateralization indexes of different Regions of Interest (ROI). Cognitive inhibition showed left brain lateralization, while motor inhibition showed right brain lateralization. Homologue brain areas involved the inferior frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, middle temporal gyrus, and anterior cingulate gyrus. These circuitries appear to support that inhibition is a complicated function involving working memory, attention, semantic decision, and motivation modules.
Torsade de Pointes Secondary to d, I‐Sotalol after Catheter Ablation of Incessant Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia—Evidence for a Significant Contribution of the “Cardiac Memory”

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of a right septal accessory pathway was performed in a 66‐year‐old patient with incessant orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. Intravenous administration of flecainide, ajmaline, verapamil, and d, l‐sotalol had been ineffective in controlling the tachycardia. After the ablation procedure, precordial T‐wave inversion was observed during sinus rhythm. These repolarization abnormalities persisted and were suggested to represent “cardiac memory”. Three days later, atrial fibrillation with a fast ventricular response developed and oral d, l‐sotalol, which had been well tolerated previously on a long‐term basis, was started again. However, at this time, and in the presence of the persisting repolarization abnormalities, the T waves became deeper and broader within a few hours after the introduction of d, l‐sotalol. Marked QT prolongatio that was paralleled by the occurrence of repeated episodes of torsade de pointes developed. Serum electrolytes were nomal. Direct current cardioversion was necessary due to the degeneration of torsade de pointes into ventricular fibrillation. Further sustained arrhythmia episodes were suppressed by temporary endocardial ventricular pacing. The patient recovered without any sequela. This case demonstrates that replarization abnormalities after catheter ablation, which may be due, at least in part, to the “cardiac memory,” are not always benign but may contribute significantly to proarrhythmia.
Effects of 4-week very-high-fructose/glucose diets on insulin sensitivity, visceral fat and intrahepatic lipids: an exploratory trial

An increasing amount of fructose in the diet is suggested to play a causal role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver. Our aim was to investigate and compare the effects of very high fructose and very high glucose in hyperenergetic diets on glucose and lipid metabolism and on fat depots in healthy humans. We conducted an exploratory, prospective, randomised, single-blinded, intervention trial. Participants in addition to a balanced weight-maintaining diet received 150 g of fructose or glucose/d for 4 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was estimated from oral glucose tolerance tests. Visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat was determined with MRI. Liver fat and intramyocellular lipids of the tibialis anterior muscle were measured with 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A total of twenty healthy subjects (fructose group n 10 and glucose group n 10; twelve males and eight females) completed the study. They had a mean age of 30·5 (sem 2·0) years and a mean BMI of 25·9 (sem 0·5) kg/m2. Insulin sensitivity appeared to decrease both in the fructose and glucose groups. TAG markedly increased in the fructose group. No strong alterations or treatment effects were found for liver fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat and intramyocellular lipids of the tibialis anterior muscle. In conclusion, the effects of very high fructose and very high glucose in hyperenergetic diets on glucose metabolism and body fat composition were not different in the healthy participants of the present study. However, elevation of plasma TAG seemed to be fructose-specific.
Test intégré pour Convertisseurs Analogique/Numérique

Les circuits integres mixtes developpes pour les nouvelles applications multimedias et telecommunications sont constitues de blocs analogiques et de blocs numeriques. Le cout du test de ces circuits mixtes est un facteur critique pour leur prix de revient. En particulier, en production industrielle, les Convertisseurs Analogique/Numerique (CAN) sont testes en mode fonctionnel (histogramme, FFT) en utilisant des ressources de test externes extremement couteuses. Dans ce contexte, une solution attractive pour reduire le cout du test consiste a integrer directement sur la puce tout ou une partie des ressources necessaires au test. L'objectif des travaux presentes dans cette these est donc la conception et le developpement de structures d'auto-test integre (BIST) permettant le test par histogramme des CAN. L'implantation directe sur silicium de cette technique de test ne serait pas possible car elle necessiterait un surcout de silicium important. Pour rendre cette integration viable nous avons donc ete amenes a envisager des solutions originales basees sur la decomposition et l'analyse par histogramme. Cette approche, associee a la mise en place d'un certain nombre de simplifications des calculs d'extraction nous a permis de reduire considerablement les ressources materielles (memoires, module de calcul) a integrer. Enfin, pour completer cette structure BIST, nous avons concu une architecture originale de generateur de rampe et de generateur de signaux triangulaires. Ces generateurs utilisent un systeme d'auto-calibration qui leur permet de generer un signal precis et insensible aux variations des parametres technologiques tout en impliquant une surface de silicium minimale.
Expresso coffee increases parasympathetic activity in young, healthy people

Abstract Caffeine induces modifications of activity of the autonomic nervous system. This study analyzed the effect of a cup of espresso coffee on the heart rate variability (HRV) power spectral analysis, which is a method providing evaluation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic discharge. In young, healthy sedentary subjects (10 male, 10 female; aged 25–30 years), the HRV-power spectrum was evaluated over a period of 150 min after the administration of espresso coffee (caffeine, 75 mg) or decaffeinated coffee (caffeine, < 18 mg) in supine and seated position. Absolute values of the spectrum were summed in low (LF) and high frequencies (HF). The LF and HF spectra were used to estimate the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, respectively. In the supine position, coffee increases HF, while decaffeinated coffee causes little modifications of HF. In the seated position, HF is not modified by coffee or decaffeinated coffee. Coffee and decaffeinated coffee do not induce any modification of LF in both positions. This experiment indicates that espresso coffee influences parasympathetic activity in the supine position.
Kinematic interpolation of movement data

Mobile tracking technologies are facilitating the collection of increasingly large and detailed data sets on object movement. Movement data are collected by recording an object’s location at discrete time intervals. Often, of interest is to estimate the unknown position of the object at unrecorded time points to increase the temporal resolution of the data, to correct erroneous or missing data points, or to match the recorded times between multiple data sets. Estimating an object’s unknown location between known locations is termed path interpolation. This paper introduces a new method for path interpolation termed kinematic interpolation. Kinematic interpolation incorporates object kinematics (i.e. velocity and acceleration) into the interpolation process. Six empirical data sets (two types of correlated random walks, caribou, cyclist, hurricane and athlete tracking data) are used to compare kinematic interpolation to other interpolation algorithms. Results showed kinematic interpolation to be a suitable interpolation method with fast-moving objects (e.g. the cyclist, hurricane and athlete tracking data), while other algorithms performed best with the correlated random walk and caribou data. Several issues associated with path interpolation tasks are discussed along with potential applications where kinematic interpolation can be useful. Finally, code for performing path interpolation is provided (for each method compared within) using the statistical software R.
Computational identification of microRNAs and their targets in liver cirrhosis

Previous studies have revealed that the deregulation of circulating miRNAs is associated with liver cirrhosis. The present study aimed to identify reliable candidate biomarkers to improve the early detection of liver cirrhosis. An integrated analysis of expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) and mRNAs in liver cirrhosis tissues from the GEO database was performed. Next, the regulatory targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs in liver cirrhosis tissues were predicted. In addition, a regulatory network of miRNA-target genes was constructed. A total of 4 eligible mRNA expression profiling studies and 2 miRNA expression profiling studies met the inclusion criteria, and were thus included. A total of 48 differentially expressed miRNAs and 1,773 differentially expressed genes were identified in liver cirrhosis tissues compared with normal tissues. There were 240 miRNA-target pairs whose expression was negatively correlated. In the miRNA-target regulatory network, overexpression of miR-21 and miR-199a-3p was suggested to be closely associated with the progression of liver cirrhosis. In addition, functional enrichment analysis of the target genes indicated that cell cycle was the most significantly enriched pathway, and the dysregulation of leukemia inhibitory factor, cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A and retinoblastoma-associated protein 1 clearly suggested their importance in the development of liver cirrhosis. We hypothesized that miR-21 and miR-199a-3p may be promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for the early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. The miRNA-target regulatory network may provide additional insight into the current data regarding the role of miRNAs in liver cirrhosis.