Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Broadband optoelectronic wafer probing

Optoelectronic S-parameter measurements offer the bandwidth needed to characterize today's state-of-the-art transistors, but have not yet achieved the throughput or accuracy provided by a vector network analyzer with microwave probes. In this paper, we discuss a new approach in which movable optoelectronic probes, calibrated by testing simple standard devices, are stepped around the wafer to provide accurate, high-throughput S-parameter measurements. Sub-picosecond laser pulses drive photoconductive switches on the probe tips, to generate electrical stimulus pulses and define sampling intervals, and signals are transferred to and from the wafer under test by coplanar waveguide transmission lines and plated contact bumps. The probes provide electrical pulses as short as 3 psec (FWHM), while maintaining a broadband 50 ohm termination to ensure stability of the device under test. Since probe flexure under contact significantly disturbs alignment of free-space beams, fiber-optic input is used to improve reproducibility. Analysis by vector error correction in the frequency domain removes systematic errors and separates the incident and reflected pulses without subjective time-window gating. We have demonstrated precise measurement of the complex reflection coefficient S/sub 11/ at frequencies up to 175 GHz. Noise simulations have been performed to investigate the effect of various system parameters on the measurement uncertainty and useful bandwidth for S-parameter tests. <<ETX>>
Impact of Sublingual Immunotherapy on Specific Antibody Levels in Asthmatic Children Allergic to House Dust Mites

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcome and changes in allergen-specific antibodies during sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in house dust mite (HDM)-allergic asthma patients and to compare levels of allergen-specific antibodies in HDM-allergic patients before and after treatment with that of healthy controls. Method: Thirty-one asthma patients allergic to HDM were studied. Patients in groups I (n = 17) and II (n = 14) received SLIT with a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus plus Dermatophagoides farinae 50/50 extract for 6 and 12 months, respectively. A group of healthy children (n = 8) were enrolled as controls. Patients in both groups were evaluated at the start and at the end of treatment according to daily symptom and medication scores, lung function and skin prick tests, PC20, blood eosinophil count, and Der-p-1-specific IgE, IgA, IgG1 and IgG4 levels. Results: Drug consumption decreased significantly in both groups. Furthermore, PC20 and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity of patients in group II improved significantly. Although specific IgA, IgG1 and IgG4 levels did not change throughout the treatment period, total eosinophil count and specific IgE decreased significantly in both groups. According to baseline measurements, specific IgA levels of patients in groups I and II were significantly lower than that of controls. This difference disappeared at the end of the treatment period in both groups. Conclusion: SLIT seems to be effective in ameliorating clinical symptoms, drug consumption and bronchial hyperreactivity, and results in downregulation of Der-p-1-specific IgE production. Furthermore, at the end of SLIT, specific IgA levels, which were decreased compared to healthy controls initially, did no longer differ between patients and controls.
EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TRIGONELLA FOENM - GRAECUM SEEDS ON PROTEIN CONTENT OF NORMAL AND ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC MICE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of aqueous extract of Trigonella foenm - graecum seeds in normal and alloxan induced diabetic mice (Mus musculus) by administering oral dose (50mg / animal) of the extract for seven days. The administration of T. foenm - graecum seeds extract reduced the protein content of blood and also other tissue like liver and pancreas. The significant that T. foenm - graecum seeds extract has got tremendous effect on biochemical parameter protein content of blood, liver and pancreas towards near normal range.
An approach to nonlinear feedback control with applications to robotics

A control problem involving a mechanical system with generalized coordinates <i>q</i>∈<i>R</i><sup>m</sup> is considered. The error in tracking a desired input <i>y</i><sup>d</sup>∈<i>R</i><sup>p</sup> is <i>e</i>=<i>E</i>(q,y<sup>d</sup>)∈<i>R</i><sup>m</sup>. If <i>E</i> satisfies simple conditions, it leads to a nonlinear control law that assures <i>e</i>(t)→0 as <i>t</i>→∞. The law is robust in that small changes in it do not produce large steady-state errors or loss of stability. In this theory a unified framework is presented for treating a number of problems in the control of mechanical manipulators.
CAH-MAC: Cooperative ADHOC MAC for Vehicular Networks

Due to the rapid advancement in the wireless communication technology and automotive industries, the paradigm of vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) emerges as a promising approach to provide road safety, vehicle traffic management, and infotainment applications. Cooperative communication, on the other hand, can enhance the reliability of communication links in VANETs, thus mitigating wireless channel impairments due to the user mobility. In this paper, we present a cooperative scheme for medium access control (MAC) in VANETs, referred to as Cooperative ADHOC MAC (CAH-MAC). In CAH-MAC, neighboring nodes cooperate by utilizing unreserved time slots, for retransmission of a packet which failed to reach the target receiver due to a poor channel condition. Through mathematical analysis and simulation, we show that our scheme increases the probability of successful packet transmission and hence the network throughput in various networking scenarios.
DELAMINATION DEFECT DETECTION USING ULTRASONIC GUIDED WAVES IN ADVANCED HYBRID STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

Nondestructive testing for multilayered structures is challenging because of increased numbers of layers and plate thicknesses. In this paper, ultrasonic guided waves are applied to detect delamination defects inside a 23‐layer Alcoa Advanced Hybrid Structural plate. A semi‐analytical finite element (SAFE) method generates dispersion curves and wave structures in order to select appropriate wave structures to detect certain defects. One guided wave mode and frequency is chosen to achieve large in‐plane displacements at regions of interest. The interactions of the selected mode with defects are simulated using finite element models. Experiments are conducted and compared with bulk wave measurements. It is shown that guided waves can detect deeply embedded damages inside thick multilayer fiber‐metal laminates with suitable mode and frequency selection.
Presidential address Receptor regulation in neuroendocrine – immune communication : Current knowledge and future perspectives

Immune cells express receptors for every hormone or neurotransmitter we know so far. The neuroendocrine system signals to the immune system via the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate cellular activity via these receptors. Much attention has been focused on the effect of glucocorticoids and catecholamines on the immune system. Glucocorticoids communicate with immune cells via glucocorticoid receptors of which the activity itself changes during immune activation. Many neuroendocrine mediators are ligands for G-protein coupled receptors on immune cells. Cytokines, oxygen-radicals, and catecholamines can influence the responsiveness of G-protein coupled receptors via decreasing the intracellular level of so-called G-protein coupled receptor kinases, of which the subtype GRK2 is highly expressed in immune cells. Therefore, changes in only one kinase can modulate the sensitivity of many receptors. We describe here that sensitivity of neuroendocrine receptors on immune cells is constantly regulated by inflammatory processes or chronic stress, which implies that not only the activity of the neuroendocrine system determines communication but that the sensitivity of receptors is a major factor in determining the final immune response. Finally, consequences of alterations in GRK2 during (neuro)-inflammatory diseases are discussed. 2006 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Effect of test method on transition from multiple to single peak dynamic recrystallization

Abstract The effect of test method on the transition from multiple to single peak dynamic recrystallization is reviewed. Data obtained from tension, compression, and torsion tests are used to evaluate the dependence of the peak and recrystallization strains on the peak stress. It is shown that the intersection stress at which the peak and recrystallization strains are equal depends on the type of test employed. Thus, it does not conform to the critical transition stress which distinguishes between grain refinement (and single peak flow) on the one hand, and grain coarsening (and multiple peak flow) on the other. The discrepancy arises because factors such as flow localization, stress gradients, friction, and the difficulty of determining the surface shear stress from torque data all affect the peak and recrystallization strains, thus modifying the intersection stress.
Classification of Ceramic Tiles by Identifying Defect on Ceramic Tile Surface Using Local Texture Feature

In ceramic tiles industry, the process of ceramics classification plays an important part. At present, the process of classification is carried out manually by using the human eyes observation. However, the capability of the human eyes is very limited. This condition leads to the low accuracy of the ceramic tile selection. This paper proposes a mechanism which could classify the ceramic tiles automatically using local texture feature. The result of our experiment shows a recognition rate of 76%, which means that this method can be used to classify the ceramic tiles.
Nitinol Thermodynamic State Surfaces

Joule effect heat engines, using the shape memory alloy Nitinol as the working material, offer a realistic potential of converting cheap and abundant low-temperature heat energy into shaft power, much more efficiently and cheaply than conventional heat engines. Reasonable performance limits for commercial engines are expected to be 80% of Carnot, if optimized for efficiency, or $50 per kilowatt, if optimized for cost. These estimates are based on clearly perceived thermodynamic cycle improvements of experimental Nitinol heat engines that have already achieved a measured performance of about 1/5 of these limits. Once this potential is converted into commercial reality by the development of a Nitinol heat engine technology, a major tool for solving the world energy problem will become available. The engineering thermodynamics of Nitinol is one of the key elements of this technology. As shown by 150 years of heat engine experience, thermodynamics is vital for the efficient development of the technologies of system studies, invention, optimization, detailed design, and test evaluation of heat engine. To fulfill this role for Nitinol heat engines, historical experience shows that the engineering thermodynamics of Nitinol must (1) specify the necessary and sufficient state variables, (2) provide a quantitative description of all possiblemore » thermodynamic paths, together with (3) the work, (4) the heat flow, and (5) the energy dissipation associated with each of these paths. The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical data correlation which furnishes the first three requirements. A report is in preparation which provides a quantitative description of the heat flow and energy dissipation. « less
A Novel Soft Switching Bidirectional DC–DC Converter Using Magnetic and Capacitive Hybrid Power Transfer

This paper proposes a new bidirectional dc–dc converter capable of improving the convenience and modularity of the dc power grid system. By the unique operation of the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LC$</tex-math> </inline-formula> resonant transformer, the proposed converter achieves bidirectional power control with only two switches. Also, the resonant transformer drives the soft switching turn-on and turn-off over a wide power range. Hence, the circuit has high potential to downsize the converter by exploiting high frequency and simplicity. This paper provides the operating principle and the experimental verification of the proposed circuit. A prototype was fabricated by using a simple and high-density printed circuit board (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\geq$ </tex-math></inline-formula>10 W/cc). It is verified that the circuit resonant operation successfully drives bidirectional power control with high efficiency (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\geq$</tex-math> </inline-formula>92%). An application example is also provided for dc grid system integration.
Biomechanical Response in Mandibular Bone due to Mastication Loading on 3-Unit Fixed Partial Dentures

An understanding of functional responses in oral bone is a crucial component of dental biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential biological remodelling response during mastication on the mandibular pre- and post-insertion of a fixed partial denture (FPD). A series of three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) models were presented pre- and postextraction to determine the biomechanical responses to masticatory loading in the anterior mandible. Equivalent strains were analysed at lingual/buccal and mesial/distal areas of the premolar to molar region and quantified to anticipate bone remodelling response. Mandibular bone incorporating an FPD experienced substantially greater stress/strain magnitudes than that prior to placement of fixed prosthodontics, which is suggestive of engagements of bone remodelling. The results suggest similar outcomes to those reported clinically. Developing a simulation reflecting the outcomes of restorative treatment can provide meaningful insight into restorative treatment planning, clinical outcomes, and fixed prosthodontics designs.
Aberrant Chloride Transport Contributes to Anoxic/Ischemic White Matter Injury

Rundown of ionic gradients is a central feature of white matter anoxic injury; however, little is known about the contribution of anions such as Cl−. We used the in vitro rat optic nerve to study the role of aberrant Cl− transport in anoxia/ischemia. After 30 min of anoxia (NaN3, 2 mm), axonal membrane potential (Vm) decreased to 42 ± 11% of control and to 73 ± 11% in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1 μm). TTX + 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′ disulfonic acid disodium salt (500 μm), a broad spectrum anion transport blocker, abolished anoxic depolarization (95 ± 8%). Inhibition of the K-Cl cotransporter (KCC) (furosemide 100 μm) together with TTX was also more effective than TTX alone (84 ± 14%). The compound action potential (CAP) area recovered to 26 ± 6% of control after 1 hr anoxia. KCC blockade (10 μm furosemide) improved outcome (40 ± 4%), and TTX (100 nm) was even more effective (74 ± 12%). In contrast, the Cl− channel blocker niflumic acid (50 μm) worsened injury (6 ± 1%). Coapplication of TTX (100 nm) + furosemide (10 μm) was more effective than either agent alone (91 ± 9%). Furosemide was also very effective at normalizing the shape of the CAPs. The KCC3a isoform was localized to astrocytes. KCC3 and weaker KCC3a was detected in myelin of larger axons. KCC2 was seen in oligodendrocytes and within axon cylinders. Cl− gradients contribute to resting optic nerve membrane potential, and transporter and channel-mediated Cl− fluxes during anoxia contribute to injury, possibly because of cellular volume changes and disruption of axo-glial integrity, leading to propagation failure and distortion of fiber conduction velocities.
Analysis of Background Detection and Contrast Enhancement of MRI Images

This paper presents a new method for poor lighting contrast enhancement of MRI images based on the Weber‟s law. Background of MRI images is identified by using the contrast enhancement transformations. The contrast image transformation can be defined by two operators: opening and closing. The first operator employs information from block analysis, while the second transformation utilizes the opening by reconstruction. Opening by reconstruction is used to define the multi background notion. The objective of contrast operators is normalizing the grey level of an input MRI image by using the contrast operator. The normalization process will enhance the quality of MRI images by avoiding abrupt changes in intensity among different regions.
The Association between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Chronic Disease Risk Factors

Understanding the associations between fruit and vegetable intake and other health behaviors is important for properly interpreting the rapidly growing number of studies that link low intakes of fruits and vegetables to the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. To examine the association between fruit and vegetable intake and behavioral risk factors for chronic diseases, we analyzed data from a population-based behavioral risk factor survey. Data were collected in 1990 from 21,892 adults in 16 states by a random-digit-dial telephone survey. Respondents answered questions about behaviors related to chronic disease risk, including their frequency of intake of fruits and vegetables, using a six-item questionnaire. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was lowest among those who also reported that they were sedentary, heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, or had never had their blood cholesterol checked. Because fruit and vegetable intake covaries with several other chronic disease risk factors, it is important to account for possible confounding between fruit and vegetable intake and other behaviors in etiologic studies of the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Spine-Ghost: A New Bioactive Cement for Vertebroplasty

An innovative, resorbable and injectable composite cement (Spine-Ghost) to be used for augmentation and restoration of fractured vertebrae was developed. Type III α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) was selected as the bioresorbable matrix, while spray-dried mesoporous bioactive particles (SD-MBP, composition 80/20% mol SiO2/CaO), were added to impart high bioactive properties to the cement; a glass-ceramic containing zirconia was chosen as a second dispersed phase, in order to increase the radiopacity of the material. After mixing with water, an injectable paste was obtained. The developed cement proved to be mechanically compatible with healthy cancellous bone, resorbable and bioactive by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF), cytocompatible through in-vitro cell cultures and it could be injected in ex-vivo sheep vertebra. Comparisons with a commercial control were carried out.
Age and sex differences in cerebral hemodynamics: a transcranial Doppler study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hemodynamic factors seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic events. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changes in cerebrovascular reactivity occur in women after menopause. METHODS Using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, we studied the changes of flow velocity after hypercapnia in the middle cerebral arteries of 45 healthy premenopausal women (mean age, 32.3 years; range, 20 to 47 years) and 40 postmenopausal women (mean age, 54.4 years; range, 48 to 64 years). The same measurements were recorded in two groups of healthy male subjects age matched with premenopausal (45 subjects) and postmenopausal women (40 subjects). Moreover, a subgroup of postmenopausal women aged 48 to 53 years (15 subjects) were compared with a group of 15 premenopausal women of the same age. We obtained hypercapnia with breath holding and evaluated cerebrovascular reactivity with the breath-holding index (BHI). RESULTS BHI was significantly lower in postmenopausal women (0.89+/-0.3) than in premenopausal women (1.59+/-0.3; P<0.0001) and in young (1.34+/-0.5; P<0.001) and old men (1.20+/-0.4; P<0.04). In the latter group, BHI was significantly lower than in premenopausal women (P<.0001). BHI values were also significantly lower in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women of the same age (0.81+/-0.1 versus 1.34+/-0.1; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the large reduction of cerebrovascular reactivity in postmenopausal women cannot be considered a simple factor related to aging but is probably influenced by hormonal changes. The alteration in cerebrovascular regulation could be involved in the increase of cerebrovascular disease in postmenopausal women.
Anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody

Normal, bi-directional interactions between CD 40 and its natural ligand CD 154 (CD 40 ligand) are central to the generation of both T cell-dependent, humoral immune responses and cytotoxic T-cell responses. CD 40 is expressed on a broad range of hematological and epithelial malignancies. The development of monoclonal antibodies directed against CD 40 allows effective targeting of malignant cells through multiple mechanisms that include the recruitment of immune effector mechanisms such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, direct anti-proliferative effects on neoplastic cells and, importantly, by the activation of tumor-targeted cellular cytotoxicity. This review provides the background to the early clinical trial data that are now beginning to emerge for this potentially exciting new treatment approach.
Deep Learning Based Binaural Speech Separation in Reverberant Environments

Speech signal is usually degraded by room reverberation and additive noises in real environments. This paper focuses on separating target speech signal in reverberant conditions from binaural inputs. Binaural separation is formulated as a supervised learning problem, and we employ deep learning to map from both spatial and spectral features to a training target. With binaural inputs, we first apply a fixed beamformer and then extract several spectral features. A new spatial feature is proposed and extracted to complement the spectral features. The training target is the recently suggested ideal ratio mask. Systematic evaluations and comparisons show that the proposed system achieves very good separation performance and substantially outperforms related algorithms under challenging multisource and reverberant environments.
Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease and erosive esophagitis in pediatric patients: focus on delayed-release esomeprazole

Objective To review the literature on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with emphasis on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), particularly on delayed-release esomeprazole, and to identify properties and adverse effects of PPIs observed in the treatment of GERD in children and adolescents. Sources Electronic search of PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Collaboration databases, and of abstracts on DDW, NASPGHAN, and ESPGHAN. We focused on controlled and randomized studies published since 2000 and identified reviews that presented a consensual position, and directives published within the last 10 years. Main results PPIs are considered better antisecretory agents than H2-receptor antagonists. Although all PPIs are similar, they are not identical in their pharmacologic properties. For example, the acid-suppressive effect of esomeprazole, the S-isomer of omeprazole, persists for more than 16 hours after administration of the morning dose. Therefore, it can control acidity after night meals better than a single dose of omeprazole. Moreover, the onset of the suppressive effect of esomeprazole is faster. It achieves acid inhibition faster than other PPIs. Conclusion Currently, the mainstream treatment for GERD in children is a PPI. Although PPIs are safe drugs, effective in healing erosive esophagitis, and in relieving symptoms, studies with esomeprazole have shown that this drug has as powerful an ability to inhibit acid secretion as omeprazole. It also seems that some pharmacologic properties of esomeprazole are actually better for the treatment of GERD.