Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A high gain wideband circularly polarized microstrip antenna

Abstract In this paper, a high gain wideband circularly polarized (CP) microstrip antenna is presented for broadband operation. The proposed structure comprised of a partially grounded printed monopole antenna loaded with a split ring resonator and a metallic reflector. By using the metallic reflector surface underneath the patch radiator results in the reflected waves in the same phase with main lobe radiation, thereby improving the gain and it also acts like a secondary radiator to generate wideband CP behavior in the proposed design. A gain enhancement of 4.3 dBi is achieved in the operating frequency band as compared with the design without a metallic reflector. The maximum gain achieved in the presented method is 8.6 dBic over the entire operating range. The proposed design shows a wideband behavior ranging from 4.30 to 9.10 GHz with the 10-dB impedance bandwidth of 71.64%. In addition, the proposed design yielded a broadside right hand CP radiation with a 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of 33.88% from 4.98 to 7.01 GHz. The proposed antenna is fabricated and experimental results on reflection coefficient, gain, axial ratio, and radiation patterns concede well with simulation results.
Needle in the Lung: A Difficult Case of a Pulmonary Foreign Body

Introduction: Foreign body aspiration is an emergency condition in children, which can lead to death. Most these foreign bodies are usually removed by bronchoscopy. Straight needle aspiration is a rare condition. Sometimes, there are some difficulties in diagnosis and management of this type of foreign body, especially in children. Case Presentation: We report a case of a needle aspiration. Conclusions: For intraoperative localization of foreign body, the C-arm device may be used before broncheotomy to decrease morbidity of the patient.
Closed reduction and proximal femoral nailing in the management of intertrochanteric fractures: a prospective study

Background: Open reduction and dynamic hip screw with plate was considered as the standard method of treatment for intertrochantric fracture of femur previously. With the introduction of proximal femoral nails, closed reduction and proximal femoral nailing are used extensively for the treatment of intertrochantric fractures in the last two decades. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome in early treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of Femur by closed reduction and proximal femoral nailing. Methods: Study was conducted in the department of orthopaedics in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, Manipur, from August 2014 to August 2016. Forty cases of intertrochantric fractures are treated with proximal femoral nails. Patients were followed up for a period of 24 weeks. The modified Harris hip score (MMHS) was used to evaluate the functional outcome of surgery. Results: Forty consecutive patients were included in this study. Fractures were classified according to Boyd and Griffin classification system. According to the classification 16 cases were type I, 14 cases were type II, 5 were type III and 5 were of type IV. After 12 months of follow-up, all 40 patients were available for evaluation. Radiological union was achieved in a mean time of 14.5 weeks. MHHS was excellent in 13 patients good in 16 patients, fair in 8 patients and poor in 3 patients. Conclusions: Proximal femoral nailing systems are minimally invasive techniques with shorter operative time and good union rate.
Value of r2 in Statistical Analysis by Pearson Correlation Coefficient

We read a research article contributed by Usha Shenoy and Jagadamba in April 2017 issue of your journal [1]. After reading the abstract, we were attracted to the article to know more about increment of lung age along with increased degree of central obesity. However, as we proceeded further in results section of the study, we found some uncommon interpretation of correlation coefficient in the article. Hence, we intended to share our views about the interpretation of Pearson correlation coefficient with journal readers.
The Content Validity of Digital Test Items for Evaluation Courses Based on Superitem-Wondershare Using Aiken’s Calculation

The digital test item for evaluation courses that is designed with tiered arrangements use super item concept and is showed digitally use the Wondershare application makes it easy for students to practice the quality of their critical thinking in working on test questions whenever and wherever they are. But to get the good quality test items, then it is still necessary to test the item validity properly and accurately. The method that can be done to determine the valid test items is through calculating the validity of the items uses the Aiken model. Based on those matters, the purpose of this study was to show the calculation process of the test items validity uses the Aiken model. Subjects that were involved in the calculated process the validation of each test item were four experts, including two experts in the field of evaluation and two experts in the field of informatics engineering. The tool was used to assess the test items was a questionnaire consisting of 42 question items. The method used to analyze the test items was by comparing the results of the test item validation used the Aiken model with the validation classification according to Guilford. The study results were showed that from 42 test items tested; there were two invalid items and 40 valid items.
Theory of excitonic states in lead salt quantum dots

Band-edge exciton states in bulk lead chalcogenides are 64-fold degenerate. In quantum dots (QDs), the degeneracy is lifted by the valley mixing and the electron-hole exchange interaction. To investigate their interplay we calculate excitonic states in PbS QDs within the tight-binding method. This allows one to trace the genesis of the bright excitonic states from the valley-degenerate states of the direct exciton which may be described within the effective mass model. We compute optical absorption spectra fully accounting for the exciton fine structure within the tight-binding method and extend the effective-mass model to include description of the inter-valley coupling.
PIT-Tags as a technique for marking fossorial reptiles: insights from a long-term field study of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni

Many field studies of ecology or conservation require individual identification of the animals, and for this, several marking techniques have been developed. However, no specific labeling technique has been tested for fossorial reptiles, such as amphisbaenians. We describe the use of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags as a long-term labeling method of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni. We present the details of the marking procedure and examine the benefits and drawbacks of the technique considering the fossorial environment. After marking many individuals in a long-term field study, we can ensure that the marks were easily applicable and were not lost over a period of at least four years. Moreover, PIT tags did not negatively affect the body condition of amphisbaenians. We conclude that PIT tags are useful for doing field studies of this and similar fossorial species.
Registration of Nasopharynoscope Videos with Radiation Treatment Planning CT Scans

Purpose: We present a method that allows one to register endoscopic videos with CT scans to provide additional data for radiation treatment planning of the oropharyngeal region. We hypothesize that this additional data will allow for more accurate radiation treatment plans. Methods and Materials: Our approach is to reconstruct a 3D textured surface from the 2D video data as seen on multiple video frames. That reconstruction, which we call an endoscopogram, can then be deformably registered to the CT scan. To reconstruct an endoscopogram from raw video, we first compute a sparse 3D point cloud by tracking corresponding feature points from one video frame to nearby ones using standard structure from-motion (SfM) techniques. During this procedure we also calculate the most likely camera trajectory. We then employ a second technology, shape-from-shading (SfS), to produce high-quality 3D surfaces from each video frame and correct these SfS images using the global accurate point cloud as a constraint. Finally we co-register several of these frame-based surfaces to create an endoscopogram that can be deformably registered with a CT scan. Results: We have successfully computed a number of spatially accurate endoscopograms and have registered them with their planning CT scans with an average accuracy of about 2-3 mms. Conclusion: These technologies will allow for accurate data transfer from endoscopy images directly onto a radiation planning CT scan that may improve treatment of head and neck cancer. In addition, the endoscopogram allows one to see the entire videoed mucosal surface at a glance.
Support processes for stroke survivors and their spouses : a realistic evaluation

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Release efficiency and selectivity of four different square mesh panel configurations in the Basque mixed bottom trawl fishery

Reduction of discards from the Basque mixed bottom trawl fishery is a challenge. To improve the selective properties of the gear used by the fleet and supplement codend size selection, a square mesh panel (SMP) installed in the upper panel of the trawl was introduced in 2006. However, recent studies have shown that the release efficiency of this SMP is low due to lack of contact between the fish and the SMP. In this study, we tested the release efficiency of the SMP for four different gear configurations. We tested the effect of adding LED lights at two different positions and altering panel size and panel position in the trawl. The analyses were focused on two species: hake (Merluccius merluccius) and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou). The results showed that the position of LED lights did not significantly affect the SMP’s release efficiency for any species. However, increasing panel size had a significant positive effect on the release efficiency of blue whiting, and placing the SMP in the lower panel improved the release efficiency of hake. These results highlight the challenge of simultaneously improving the selective properties of gear for species with different behaviour, especially in mixed demersal fisheries.
An Implementation Scheme of Range and Angular Measurements for FMCW MIMO Radar via Sparse Spectrum Fitting

The work presented in this paper is about implementing a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) positioning radar and a sparse spectrum fitting (SpSF) algorithm for range and angular measurements. First, we designed a coherent FMCW MIMO radar system working in the S-band with low power consumption that consists of four transmitter and four receiver antennas and has the ability to extend its virtual aperture; thus, this system can achieve a higher resolution than conventional phased array radars. Then, the SpSF algorithm was designed for estimating the distance and angle of the targets in the FMCW MIMO radar. Due to the fact that the SpSF algorithm can exploit the spatial sparsity diversity of a signal, the SpSF algorithm that is applied in the designed MIMO radar system can achieve a better estimation performance than the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) and Capon algorithms, especially in the context of small snapshots and low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). The simulated and experimental results are used to prove the effectiveness of the designed MIMO radar and the superior performance of the algorithm.
The Development of the Trends in Formation Damage Removal Technologies in Sandstone Reservoirs

The article describes the main ideas of the integrated approach to the use of matrix-stimulation methods in the oilfields with sandstone reservoirs. LLC Gazpromneft scientific and technology center as the basis of the project "Optimal matrix stimulation methods" undertook the joint study. The project objective is to increase the efficiency of matrix stimulation by introducing advanced techniques for automized well selection and calculating the design of acidizing based on mathematical modeling.
Responsive withdrawal? The politics of EU agenda-setting

ABSTRACT This contribution asks whether and why the newly political environment of EU law-making impacts on the European Commission's choice (not) to announce the withdrawal of legislative proposals. We argue that the Commission uses ‘responsive withdrawal’ in response to bottom-up pressure, so as to signal self-restraint or policy-determination to different audiences. Bottom-up pressures are driven by (1) the national contestation of ‘Europe’; (2) visible controversy about optimal (crisis) governance; and (3) the domestic salience of EU legislation. Our hypotheses are tested on a new dataset of all codecision files concluded, withdrawn, rejected or ongoing between 2006 and 2018. We show that the Commission reacts to bottom-up pressure by either politicising or depoliticising the EU's legislative agenda: ‘withdrawal announcements’ are more likely when Euroscepticism is high and when legislation touches core state powers, but less likely when legislation is domestically salient. We also demonstrate the continued importance of cyclical and technical reasons. Our analysis complements extant explanations of withdrawal as the upshot of functional factors or of uncertainty, and contributes to the nascent debate about whether, why and how supranational actors respond when the systems in which they operate – and the policies they produce – come under attack.
Sex, Prestige, and Booming Death—or Eating Bread: Natufian Low-Level Food Production in Southwest Asia (15,000–11,500 Cal BP)

In a series of recent articles, Rosenberg and Nadel have intensively explored the significance of Natufian devices carved in stone—and especially that of the narrow conicalmortars (NCMs; fig. 1, top) “within the social and symbolic realms” (Nadel and Rosenberg 2010:85). In theirmain article (Rosenberg andNadel 2014), the authors proposed that the pierced boulder conical mortars were brought to burial sites to make booming sounds during a mortuary ceremony. In their definition of these mortars, the authors query, “Could they be used to symbolize the female reproductive organs? ” and “Could stones [rather small, D.E. ] set on edge inside [the NCMs] support this avenue of interpretation? ” (Nadel and Lengyel 2009:46). Alternatively, the researchers suggest that the devices may have been relics of hierarchic masonry competitions. It must be noted that while the booming hypothesis and the other suppositions cannot be confirmed, most of the hundreds Natufian NCMs were found at sites in domestic contexts, with no indication of ritual activity (Eitam et al. 2015). Only a dozen NCMs were found in mortuary or ritual contexts.
تأثير إعطاء فيتامين د3 على مستوي هورمون الأيريسين في مصل الدم لنموذج الجرذان المحدث لها تجريبيا نقص في فيتامين د Effect of vitamin d3 administration on irisin levels in vitamin d deficient rat model

Background: Irisin is a novel myokine, adipokine and neurokine which increases energy expenditure and improves glucose tolerance. Both myokine irisin and vitamin D (VD) are players in the musculoskeletal system; However, irisin-vitamin D relationship is still unclear. Objective: Investigating the effect of chronic administration of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) on serum irisin level in relation to some metabolic parameters in vitamin D deficient rat model. Material and Methods: Thirty six healthy weaned (21 days) male albino rats (80.70±10.1 gram) were used. Rats were divided randomly into two groups: Group I : Control group (n=12) fed on normal balanced diet for 6 weeks then given 1ml of pure canola oil as a vehicle every other day for 2 weeks via gavage and Group II: vitamin D-deficient (VDD) group (n=24) fed on vitamin D-deficient diet (20% lactose, 2% Ca, and 1.25% P) for 6 weeks, then subdivided randomly into two equal subgroups: Group IIa (VDD vehicle -treated group) which was given 1ml of pure canola oil as a vehicle every other day for 2 weeks via gavage, and Group IIb (VDD D3treated group): which was given 1 ml of 75 μg/ml of vitamin D3 in 1ml of pure canola oil every other day for 2 weeks. For all groups, BMI, food intake, serum irisin, 25-hydroxy vitamin D 25-OHVD, calcium, phosphorus, parathrmone hormone (PTH), glucose, insulin and calculated homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were estimated. Results: VD deficient diet for six weeks induced significantly decrease in serum 25-OHVD together with insignificant changes in PTH, Ca, P levels, BMI and food intake. Regarding serum irisin levels, they were low in VDD rats in comparison to normal rats. However, after 2 weeks of treatment with VD3, serum irisin levels were significantly higher in VDD D3treated group than in VDD vehicletreated rats. These elevated levels of irisin were significantly positive correlated to serum 25-OHVD in VDD vehicletreated and VD deficient D3treated groups. Moreover, serum insulin levels and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in VDD rats than that of normal rats and, they were negatively correlated with serum 25-OHVD and irisin in both VDD vehicletreated and VDD D3treated groups. Conclusion: Hypovitaminosis D was significantly associated with reduced irisin levels and elevated insulin resistance. Moreover, irisin levels significantly elevated after restoration of VD. Both serum irisin and 25OHVD were negatively correlated with insulin resistance. Hypovitaminosis D-induced metabolic deterioration could be resulted from decreased irisin levels.
Espessura do músculo adutor do polegar em idosos hospitalizados: relação com sexo e idade

Objective: To relate the adductor pollicis muscle thickness of hospitalized elderly patients to sex and age. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, from May 2014 through April 2015, with a convenience sample of 119 elderly patients, hospitalized in a geriatric unit of a university hospital of Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil. The adductor pollicis muscle thickness values of the dominant and non-dominant hand were measured using a Lange® skinfold caliper. Student t-tests were used for both paired and independent data. Results: The mean age was 82.3±8.1 years (60 to 97 years) and the majority of the patients were female (62.2%). The mean adductor pollicis muscle thickness value in the total sample was 14.96±4.62mm and no significant difference was verified between dominant and non-dominant hand. Men presented significantly higher mean values than women in both hands (Dominant – men: 16.79±4.21mm; women: 13.99±4.39mm; Non-dominant – men: 16.58±4.13mm; women: 13.84±4.78mm). A weak inverse correlation was observed between the adductor pollicis muscle thickness and age in both hands (Dominant – r=-0.300; Nondominant – r=-0.308). It was also verified a significant difference between the means of the adductor pollicis muscle thickness and age group in both hands (Dominant: 60-79 years: 16.63±4.25mm; ≥80 years: 14.27±4.47mm; Non-dominant – 60-79 years: 16.47±394mm; ≥80 years: 14.10±4.90mm). Conclusion: In hospitalized elderly patients, the adductor pollicis muscle thickness was greater among younger individuals (60-79 years) and in males.
Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Design, Fabrication, Energy Harvesting, and Portable-Wearable Applications

Scavenging energy from our day-to-day activity into useful electrical energy be the best solution to solve the energy crisis. This concept entirely reduces the usage of batteries, which have a complex issue in recycling and disposal. For electrical harvesting energy from vibration energy, there are few energy harvesters available, but the fabrication, implementation, and maintenances are quite complicated. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) having the advantage of accessible design, less fabrication cost, and high energy efficiency can replace the battery in low-power electronic devices. TENGs can operate in various working modes such as contact-separation mode, sliding mode, single-electrode mode, and free-standing mode. The design of TENGs with the respective operating modes employed in generating electric power as well as can be utilized as a portable and wearable power source. The fabrication of triboelectric layers with micro-roughness could enhance the triboelectric charge generation. The objective of this chapter is to deal with the design of triboelectric layers, creating micro structured roughness using the soft-lithographic technique, fabrication of TENGs using different working modes, energy harvesting performance analysis, powering up commercial devices (LEDs, displays, and capacitors), and portable-wearable applications.
Secondary School Students’Attitudes towards the Concept of Equality and Preservice Teachers’ Professional Noticing

With the understanding of importance of pedagogical content knowledge, professional noticing has become one of the research subjects of the mathematics educators for the last 10 years. This qualitative study which explores secondary school students’ solution processes regarding the concept of equation ,one of the main components of algebraic learning field and the pre-service teachers’ noticing about this is quite rich in terms of its results. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders’ attitudes towards equations were revealed and it was found as stated in literature that students were dominantly “computational thinkers”. However, the differences in this general concept of thinking seem to make contribution to literature by involving discrete attitudes. In addition to this, the secondary findings of the study include some evidence revealing that pre-service teachers’ level of noticing accumulates at middle levels but they can be improved.