Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fabry-Perót cavity antenna with beam switching

A Fabry-Perót cavity (FPC) antenna is presented for beam switching. The antenna consists of a partially reflective sheet (PRS) formed by a finite-sized periodic array of metal patches printed onto a grounded dielectric substrate and a feeding microstrip patch embedded in the substrate. The proposed antenna achieves beam switching within an angle of ±15° with consistent gain as the antenna is excited at varying positions in the cavity. The study shows that the fully dielectric-integrated FPC antennas are capable of providing the high gain and beam switching with low profile, and mechanical robustness.
Analysis of Streptococcus mutans biofilm proteins recognized by salivary immunoglobulin A.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to examine the Streptococcus mutans biofilm cellular proteins recognized by immunoglobulin A (IgA) in saliva from various caries-defined populations. METHODS Biofilm and planktonic S. mutans UA159 cells were prepared. The proteins were extracted, separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, transferred to blotting membranes, and probed for IgA using individual saliva samples from three groups of subjects; those who developed 0 caries (no active caries), 5-9 caries (medium), or more than 10 caries (severe) over a 12-month interval. RESULTS Several proteins were recognized by salivary IgA in all groups of saliva but spot distribution and intensity varied greatly between the groups, and some proteins were recognized more strongly in biofilm cells than in planktonic culture, and vice versa. Furthermore, 15 proteins were only recognized by saliva from the 'no active caries' group, and four proteins were recognized by saliva samples from subjects in all three groups. Specifically, antigen I/II was recognized less in biofilm cells by caries-free saliva compared with planktonic cells. However, salivary IgA antibody to antigen I/II was absent in blots using saliva from the 'medium caries' and 'severe caries' groups. CONCLUSION The bacterial molecules recognized by caries-free saliva are significant factors for S. mutans caries formation, and their inhibition could be a therapeutic target. In addition, saliva of caries-free subjects includes significant IgA antibody against antigen I/II of S. mutans, indicating a protective mechanism. However, microorganisms may protect themselves from host immune attack by forming biofilms and decreasing expression of antigen I/II.
9-cis retinoic acid inhibition of activation-induced apoptosis is mediated via regulation of fas ligand and requires retinoic acid receptor and retinoid X receptor activation

T-cell hybridomas, thymocytes, and T cells can be induced to undergo apoptotic cell death by activation through the T-cell receptor. This process requires macromolecular synthesis and thus gene expression, and it has been shown to be influenced by factors regulating transcription. Recently, activation, T-cell hybridomas rapidly express the Fas/CD95 receptor and its ligand, Fas ligand (FasL), which interact to transduce the death signal in the activated cell. Retinoids, the active metabolites of vitamin A, modulate expression of specific target genes by binding to two classes of intracellular receptors, retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). They are potent modulators of apoptosis in a number of experimental models, and they have been shown to inhibit activation-induced apoptosis in T-cell hybridomas and thymocytes. Particularly effective is the prototypic pan-agonist 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA), which has high affinity for both RARs and RXRs. We report here that 9-cis RA inhibits T-cell receptor-mediated apoptosis in T-cell hybridomas by blocking the expression of Fas ligand following activation. This inhibition appears to be at the level of FasL mRNA, with the subsequent failure to express cell surface FasL. RAR-selective (TTNPB) or RXR-selective (LG100268) ligands alone were considerably less potent than RAR-RXR pan-agonists. However, the addition of both RAR- and RXR-selective ligands was as effective as the addition of 9-cis RA alone. The demonstrates that the inhibitory effect requires the ligand-mediated activation of both retinoid receptor signaling pathways.
Maternal Nutrient Restriction Reduces Concentrations of Amino Acids and Polyamines in Ovine Maternal and Fetal Plasma and Fetal Fluids1

Abstract Amino acids and polyamines are essential for placental and fetal growth, but little is known about their availability in the conceptus in response to maternal undernutrition. We hypothesized that maternal nutrient restriction reduces concentrations of amino acids and polyamines in the ovine conceptus. This hypothesis was tested in nutrient-restricted ewes between Days 28 and 78 (experiment 1) and between Days 28 and 135 (experiment 2) of gestation. In both experiments, ewes were assigned randomly on Day 28 of gestation to a control group fed 100% of National Research Council (NRC) nutrient requirements and to an nutrient-restricted group fed 50% of NRC requirements. Every 7 days beginning on Day 28 of gestation, ewes were weighed and rations adjusted for changes in body weight. On Day 78 of gestation, blood samples were obtained from the uterine artery and umbilical vein for analysis. In experiment 2, nutrient-restricted ewes on Day 78 of gestation either continued to be fed 50% of NRC requirements or were realimented to 100% of NRC requirements until Day 135. Fetal weight was reduced in nutrient-restricted ewes at both Day 78 (32%) and Day 135 (15%) compared with controls. Nutritional restriction markedly reduced (P < 0.05) concentrations of total α-amino acids (particularly serine, arginine-family amino acids, and branched-chain amino acids) and polyamines in maternal and fetal plasma and in fetal allantoic and amniotic fluids at both mid and late gestation. Realimentation of nutrient-restricted ewes increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of total α-amino acids and polyamines in all the measured compartments and prevented intrauterine growth retardation. These novel findings demonstrate that 50% global nutrient restriction decreases concentrations of amino acids and polyamines in the ovine conceptus that could adversely impact key fetal functions. The results have important implications for understanding the mechanisms responsible for both intrauterine growth retardation and developmental origins of adult disease.
Repression of the interleukin-6 promoter by estrogen receptor is mediated by NF-kappa B and C/EBP beta

Bone metabolism is regulated by a balance between bone resorption caused by osteoclasts and bone formation caused by osteoblasts. This balance is disturbed in postmenopausal women as a result of lower serum estrogen levels. Estrogen, which is used in hormone replacement therapy to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis, downregulates expression of the interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene in osteoblasts and bone marrow stromal cells. IL-6 is directly involved in bone resorption by activating immature osteoclasts. We show here that NF-kappa B and C/EBP beta are important regulators of IL-6 gene expression in human osteoblasts. Importantly, the IL-6 promoter is inhibited by estrogen in the absence of a functional estrogen receptor (ER) binding site. This inhibition is mediated by the transcription factors NF-kappa B and C/EBP beta. Evidence is presented for a direct interaction between these two factors and ER. We characterized the protein sequence requirements for this association in vitro and in vivo. The physical and functional interaction depends in part on the DNA binding domain and region D of ER and on the Rel homology domain of NF-kappa B and the bZIP region of C/EBP beta. The cross-coupling between ER, NF-kappa B, and C/EBP beta also results in reduced activity of promoters with ER binding sites. We further show that the mechanism of IL-6 gene repression by estrogen is clearly different from that of activation of promoters with ER binding sites. Therefore, drugs that separate the transactivation and transrepression functions of ER will be very helpful for treatment of osteoporosis without causing undesirable side effects.
Is there a premium for beauty in sport consumption? Evidence from German TV ratings for tennis matches

Abstract Conventional wisdom about sport stardom claims that the physical attractiveness of athletes is of some importance for sports’ consumers. Therefore, research presented here asks whether there is a “premium for beauty” in the sports telecasting market. The relevance of athletes’ physical attractiveness for consumption is framed as pure Beckertype consumer discrimination based on beauty. These ideas are examined by analysing German TV ratings for live telecasted tennis matches of the years 2009 and 2010. Our results provide no direct or indirect support for a “premium for beauty” in the sports telecasting market or at least in tennis telecasts, but do reveal strong gender differences.
Stability analysis of boost dc-dc converter using Z-transform

In this paper, the stability of the boost dc-dc converter in the continuous conduction mode (CCM) is investigated by using a new modeling method. The proposed method is based on the two Laplace and Z transforms. The Laplace transform is used for determination of the general relations of the inductor current and the output voltage. Also the Z transform is used for obtaining the transfer function of the boost dc-dc converter. Then by using the transfer function which is in the Z domain, the stability of the boost dc-dc converter is investigated and the effect of the converter elements on its stability is analyzed. Finally, the results of the theoretical analysis are compared with the results of the simulation in the PSCAD/EMTDC to prove the validity of the presented theoretical subjects.
Public Service Motivation and Organizational Performance in Mexico: Testing the Mediating Effects of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

Despite the importance of the public sector, little effort has been made by researchers to empirically verify the influence of individual-level factors on the performance of public sector organizations. This study examines the effects of public service motivation (PSM) and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) on perceived organizational performance in the Mexican public sector. In an attempt to open up the “black box” of the relationship between PSM and organizational performance, this study also examines the mediating effects of OCBs on the relationship between PSM and performance. Using survey data on civil servants, findings show that PSM has no direct effect on perceived performance whereas OCBs have. The findings also show that PSM has an indirect effect on organizational performance through its positive influence on OCBs.
Enhanced production of 24S‐hydroxycholesterol is not sufficient to drive liver X receptor target genes in vivo

Abstract. Shafaati M, Olin M, Båvner A, Pettersson H, Rozell B, Meaney S, Parini P, Björkhem I (Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden; Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland). Enhanced production of 24S‐hydroxycholesterol is not sufficient to drive liver X receptor target genes in vivo. J Intern Med 2011; 270: 377–387.
Involvement of oxidative stress in experimentally induced reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Recent studies have demonstrated that refluxed duodenal contents cause esophageal carcinoma in rats without exposure to carcinogens. Oxidative damage has long been related to carcinogenesis in human cancers and animal cancer models. The purpose here was to investigate the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer in the experiment of chronic duodenal content reflux without carcinogen. METHODOLOGY Thirty 8-week-old male Wistar rats were exposed to duodenal content esophageal reflux. All animals underwent an esophagoduodenal anastomosis (EDA) with total gastrectomy in order to produce chronic esophagitis. In 10 rats the sham operation induced a midline laparotomy alone (Control). A total of 37 of 40 (92.5%) rats completed the study. In the EDA group, 27 (90%) rats completed the study. In the control group, 10 (100%) rats completely the study. They were sacrificed at the 35th week. Their esophagi were examined for the presence of cancer, Barrett's esophagus (BE), columnar line epithelium (CLE) and oxidative stress. RESULTS After 35 weeks of reflux, columnar dysplasia and squamous carcinoma were found. PCNA labeling index was higher in dysplastic and cancer tissue than that of normal. To discover the role of oxidative stress and radical scavenger capacity in the malignant transformation of Barrett's esophagus, we measured Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Glutathione (GSH) content in EDA rats. Mucosal MDA levels were significantly increased in EDA groups compared with the normal controls. GSH and SOD levels were significantly decreased in EDA group compared with the normal control group. CONCLUSIONS We proposed that oxidative damage plays an important role in the formation of esophageal cancer with EDA model.
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS

This paper seeks to understand the conditions under which ‘centers of excellence’ emerge in foreign subsidiaries of multinational firms. We define a center of excellence as an organizational unit that embodies a set of capabilities that has been explicitly recognized by the firm as an important source of value creation, with the intention that these capabilities be leveraged by and/or disseminated to other parts of the firm. Drawing on overlapping research in international business and strategic management, we argue that the formation of centers of excellence is shaped by conditions in the subsidiary's local environment as well as by various aspects of the subsidiary's relationship with other parts of the multinational firm. Based on a survey of 99 foreign units in Canada, our results highlight the fundamental role played by parent firm investment as well as the role of internal and external organizations in the development of subsidiary capabilities. Performance implications of the center of excellence phenomenon are also explored. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing Oral and Written Language for Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome

Abstract Oral and written language development for adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome (Ds) are particularly challenging. Yet, research supports a syndrome-specific profile highlighting strengths and particular areas of difficulty for this group of individuals. For example, adolescents and young adults with Ds tend to understand more than they produce. In terms of oral language development, the domains of semantics and pragmatics are relative strengths whereas morphosyntax is particularly difficult. Much less is known about written language development because most adolescents and young adults with Ds are at the emergent literacy or word identification (i.e., ability to recognize and name single words) stages; however, relative strengths emerge in the area of word identification. The purpose of this article is to explore the research findings on oral and written language strengths and weaknesses and intervention strategies and techniques that facilitate development in these two interrelated domains. In addition, a case study example is provided to further enhance the clinical skills of speech-language pathologists who work with this population.
Life history influences how fire affects genetic diversity in two lizard species

‘Fire mosaics’ are often maintained in landscapes to promote successional diversity in vegetation with little understanding of how this will affect ecological processes in animal populations such as dispersal, social organization and re‐establishment. To investigate these processes, we conducted a replicated, spatiotemporal landscape genetics study of two Australian woodland lizard species [Amphibolurus norrisi (Agamidae) and Ctenotus atlas (Scincidae)]. Agamids have a more complex social and territory structure than skinks, so fire might have a greater impact on their population structure and thus genetic diversity. Genetic diversity increased with time since fire in C. atlas and decreased with time since fire in A. norrisi. For C. atlas, this might reflect its increasing population size after fire, but we could not detect increased gene flow that would reduce the loss of genetic diversity through genetic drift. Using landscape resistance analyses, we found no evidence that postfire habitat succession or topography affected gene flow in either species and we were unable to distinguish between survival and immigration as modes of postfire re‐establishment. In A. norrisi, we detected female‐biased dispersal, likely reflecting its territorial social structure and polygynous mating system. The increased genetic diversity in A. norrisi in recently burnt habitat might reflect a temporary disruption of its territoriality and increased male dispersal, a hypothesis that was supported with a simulation experiment. Our results suggest that the effects of disturbance on genetic diversity will be stronger for species with territorial social organization.
Benfotiamine in diabetic polyneuropathy (BENDIP): results of a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

AIM Efficacy and safety of benfotiamine in treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy. METHODS Double blind, placebo-controlled, phase-III-study. 181 patients were screened. 165 patients with symmetrical, distal diabetic polyneuropathy were randomised to one of three treatment groups entering the wash-out phase and 133/124 patients were analysed in the ITT/PP analysis: Benfotiamine 600 mg per day (n=47/43), benfotiamine 300 mg per day (n=45/42) or placebo (n=41/39). RESULTS After 6 weeks of treatment, the primary outcome parameter NSS (Neuropathy Symptom Score) differed significantly between the treatment groups (p=0.033) in the PP (per protocol) population. In the ITT (intention to treat) population, the improvement of NSS was slightly above significance (p=0.055). The TSS (Total Symptom Score) showed no significant differences after 6 weeks of treatment. The improvement was more pronounced at the higher benfotiamine dose and increased with treatment duration. In the TSS, best results were obtained for the symptom "pain". Treatment was well tolerated in all groups. CONCLUSION Benfotiamine may extend the treatment option for patients with diabetic polyneuropathy based on causal influence on impaired glucose metabolism. Further studies should confirm the positive experiences.
The effect of topical citric acid application on the healing of experimental furcation defects in dogs.

Chronic periodontal disease was induced and through-and-through furcation pockets created in mandibular premolars in two groups of beagles consisting of five and six animals respectively. The furcation defects were treated by surgical debridement supplemented with citric acid conditioning of the instrumented root surface. The relative importance of three adjunctive therapeutic measures was assessed. Thus, the effect of systemic antibiotics was evaluated by inter-group comparison. Gelfoam as a matrix support for the blood coagulum during healing was evaluated by intraindividual, contralateral comparisons in one group of animals. Coronal repositioning of the muco-periosteal flaps was evaluated by contralateral comparisons in the second group of animals. Block specimens for histological evaluation were removed six weeks after surgery. A high rate of regeneration and new attachment of the furcations was obtained irrespective of the use of systemic antibiotics, Gelfoam and high or low flap positioning. Thus, topical acid application seems to be the crucial therapeutic factor in achieving new attachment in the present model of through-and-through furcation pockets.
Alterations in Ascending Dorsal Horn Neurons by a Surgical Incision in the Rat Foot

BackgroundLittle is known about the mechanisms of pain caused by a surgical incision. The authors have developed a rat model of postoperative pain characterized by decreased withdrawal thresholds to punctate mechanical stimuli after plantar incision. The present studies examined the response characteristics of dorsal horn neurons receiving input from the plantar aspect of the foot before and after a plantar incision placed adjacent to the low threshold area of the receptive field (RF). MethodsIndividual dorsal horn neurons from the lumbar enlargement were antidromically identified and characterized as low threshold, wide dynamic range (WDR), and high threshold (HT) based on their responses to brush and pinch. Thresholds (in millinewtons), the pinch RF, and stimulus–response functions (SRFs) to von Frey filaments characterized the neurons. SRFs were analyzed using area under the curve. Changes in background activity, punctate mechanical thresholds, SRFs, and RF were recorded after an incision was made adjacent to the most sensitive area of the RF. ResultsIn all cells, an incision increased background activity; this remained elevated in 3 of 9 HT and 16 of 28 WDR neurons 1 h later. The SRFs were enhanced in 10 of 27 WDR neurons and in 2 of 8 HT cells after incision. Only the WDR neurons were responsive to filaments that produced withdrawal responses after incision in behavioral experiments. Increases in the RFs outside of the injured area occurred after incision in 15 of 29 WDR and 2 of 9 HT cells. ConclusionA plantar incision caused dorsal horn cell activation and central sensitization. Because the threshold of HT neurons did not decrease to the range of the withdrawal responses in behavioral experiments, particular WDR dorsal horn neurons likely contribute to the reduced withdrawal threshold observed in behavioral experiments. Both WDR and HT neurons are capable of transmitting enhanced responses to strong punctate mechanical stimuli after incision.