Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of lumped rat-race coupler in multilayer LTCC

This paper proposes a compact lumped rat-race coupler configuration. Combining the advantages of lumped elements - low spurious problem and predictable response - with multilayer low-temperature co-fired ceramic technology, circuit layouts can be integrated vertically to realize a miniaturized rat-race coupler. The proposed coupler uses high-pass and low-pass lumped models to replace the transmission line sections of the conventional design. A new structure with enhanced bandwidth is achieved by increasing the order of the 270° transmission line section. Measurement results are shown to validate the design and theoretical prediction, demonstrating 98.63% area reduction compared to conventional rat-race coupler and a 50% fractional bandwidth.
Computational Study of Fracture Characteristics in Infant Skulls Using a Simplified Finite Element Model

Skull fracture characteristics are associated with loading conditions (such as the impact point and impact velocity) and could provide indication of abuse or accident‐induced head injuries. However, correlations between fracture characteristics and loading conditions in infant and toddler are ill‐understood. A simplified computational model representing an infant head was built to simulate skull responses to blunt impacts. The fractures were decided through a first principal strain‐based element elimination strategy. Simulation results were qualitatively compared with test data from porcine heads. This simplified model well captured the fracture pattern, initial fracture position, and direction of fracture propagation. The model also very well described fracture characteristics found in studies with human infant cadaveric specimens. A series of parametric studies was conducted, and results indicated that the parameters studied had substantial effects on fracture patterns. Additionally, the jagged shapes of sutures were associated with strain concentrations in the skull.
Experimental Investigation of Reflection Characteristics of a High-Impedance Surface by 2D Balanced CRLH Metamaterials without a Forbidden Frequency Band

In this paper, reflection characteristics of a high- impedance surface composed of 2D balanced CRLH metamaterials without a forbidden frequency band are studied experimentally. Even without a bandgap, in-phase reflection phenomena are observed near the balanced Gamma-point frequency as opposed to a conventional high-impedance surface with a bandgap. In addition, multiple in-phase reflections are also observed for oblique incidence cases by bistatic radar cross section measurements.
Automated Reasoning Algorithm for Linguistic Valued Lukasiewicz Propositional Logic

In this paper, firstly a new automated reasoning algorithm based on Boolean logic is proposed and its theorems of soundness and completeness on validating the unsatisfiability of logic formulae are given. Then this procedure is extended to a linguistic valued Lukasiewicz propositional logic L(X) with truth-value in Lukasiewicz linguistic valued algebras, and an a- automated reasoning algorithm with respect to certain linguistic value level a in L(X) is given. Its theorems of soundness and completeness associated with the a- unsatisfiability of the logical formulae in L(X) are also proved. This reflects the symbolic approach acts by direct reasoning on linguistic truth values.
SiGe HBT Performance Improvements from Lateral Scaling

Measurements on SiGe HEr devices with electrical emitter widths down to O.18;nn have been compared and used to verifY components in a simple structural parasitic model. We argue that despite the dominance of extrinsic capacitance and resistance components, significant improvements in power dissipation, gain, and base resistance are to be expected in succeeding generations of HEr technologies. fMAX improvements from lateral scaling are demonstrated.
Neuroanatomy of the oculomotor system

(Listing chapter headings). Preface. List of Authors. Chapter 1. Present concepts of oculumotor organization (U. BUttner and J.A. Buttner-Ennever). 1. Introduction. 2. Saccades. 3. Vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR). 4. Smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM). 5. Optokinetic response. 6. Vergence eye movements. Acknowledgements. Abbreviations. References. Chapter 2. Structural organization of the extraocular muscles (R.F. Spencer and J.D. Porter). 1. Introduction. 2. Gross anatomy of the extraocular muscles. 3. Embryological origin of the extraocular muscles. 4. Microscopic anatomy of the extraocular muscles. 5. Prenatal and postnatal development of the extraocular muscles. 6. Denervation of the extraocular muscles. 7. Comment. Acknowledgements. Abbreviations. References. Chapter 3. Extraocular motor nuclei: location, morphology and afferents (C. Evinger). 1. Organization of extraocular motor nuclei. 2. Morphology of extraocular motoneurons. 3. Afferents to the extraocular motor nuclei. 4. Summary. Acknowledgements. Abbreviations. References. Chapter 4. The reticular formation (J.A. BUttner-Ennever and U. Buttner). 1. Introduction. 2. Subdivisions, nomenclature and cytoarchitecture. 3. Afferent connections. 4. Efferent connections. 5. Stimulation, lesion and clinical studies. 6. Discussion. Abbreviations. Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 5. The anatomy of the vestibular nuclei (S.M. Highstein and R.A. McCrea). 1. Introduction. 2. The anatomy of the vestibular nerve and nuclei. 3. VOR pathways and collaterals of VOR neurons. 4. Organization of VOR pathways. 5. Physiological signals transmitted by secondary vestibular neurons. References. Chapter 6. The nucleus prepositus (R.A. McCrea). 1. Introduction. 2. Cytoarchitecture of the prepositus. 3. Morphology of PH neurons. 4. Afferent projections to the PH. 5. Efferent projections of the PH to the cerebellum. 6. Efferent projections of the PH to the brainstem. 7. Functional significance of PH efferent connections. 8. The PH as an efference copy center. References. Chapter 7. Cerebullum (R.H.I. Blanks). 1. Introduction. 2. Anatomy of the cerebellum. 3. Afferent connections. 4. Efferent connections. 5. Functional considerations. Abbreviations. References. Chapter 8. Gaze control through superior colliculus: structure and function (R. Grantyn). 1. Introduction. 2. Structural aspects of collicular function in gaze control. 3. Intrinsic organization of the colliculus superior. 4. Sources and routes of sensory input to efferent neurons in the deep superior colliculus. 5. Nigral afferents. 6. Cerebellar afferents. 7. Afferents from cortical eye fields. 8. Collateral patterns and termination sites of neurons projecting into the tecto-reticulo-spinal tract. 9. Concluding remarks. Acknowledgements. Abbreviations. References. Chapter 9. The pretectal nuclear complex and the accessory optic system (J.I. Simpson, R.A. Giolli and R.H.I. Blanks). 1. Introduction. 2. the pretectal nuclear complex. 3.
Reactive Obstacle Avoidance for Highly Maneuverable Vehicles Based on a Two-Stage Optical Flow Clustering

This paper proposes a reactive obstacle avoidance approach based solely on image data from a monocular camera stream. By clustering and analyzing the optical flow, this approach is able to identify potential collisions with dynamic obstacles. Epipolar geometry is exploited to derive velocity commands that ensure a collision-free path for a highly maneuverable autonomous vehicle via a real-time optimizer. First, the underlying image processing and optimization principles are explained in detail, before simulation results show the general feasibility of the approach. Finally, real-world tests with the ROboMObil, the German Aerospace Center’s robotic electric vehicle, are provided to demonstrate its applicability.
Moving reflector type micro optical switch for high-power transfer in a MEMS-based safety and arming system

Development of a moving reflector type micro optical switch fabricated by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) in silicon on insulator (SOI) substrates is presented. The device discussed is a key component in a MEMS-based safety and arming (S&A) system for use in underwater weapons. In this switch, an etched vertical sidewall reflector is electrostatically actuated in and out of the optical path between input and output optical fibers. Fabrication is performed on 100 µm thick silicon substrates with fiber alignment channels, reflectors and actuators being fabricated at the same time with a single etch step. A single pair of multimode fibers is used to transmit optical power of the order of 1000 mW at a working wavelength of 810 nm. Sources of optical loss in the system are identified and their value calculated in order to predict the overall system optical efficiency. The optical efficiency of the switch has been found to have an average value of 55% with the etched vertical sidewall mirror having an average reflectivity of 62.8%. Switching time is 10 ms from the off to the on state with a maximum operational frequency of 60 Hz. Isolation between the on and off states is 32 dB.
Blepharitis as an early sign of metabolic syndrome: a nationwide population-based study

Background To investigate the relationship between blepharitis and metabolic syndrome (MetS) by using the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) of Taiwan. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected from the LHID for the period from 2009 to 2013. This study enrolled patients who received a diagnosis of blepharitis according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnostic code. The exclusion criteria were legal blindness, eyeball removal, ocular tumours prior to the diagnosis of blepharitis, and patients diagnosed with blepharitis and initiated antibiotic treatment concurrently. An age-matched, gender-matched and disease-matched population without blepharitis served as the control group. Multivariate analysis with a multiple Cox regression model was applied to analyse the data. Results In this study, a total of 10 093 patients with blepharitis were included in the study group, and another 40 372 participants without blepharitis were included in the control group. Conditional logistic regression revealed a higher cumulative probability of hyperlipidaemia and coronary arterial disease. After adjustment, patients with blepharitis had a higher probability of developing new MetS than controls. According to subgroup analysis, hyperlipidaemia and coronary artery diseases were significantly correlated with the prior development of blepharitis. However, hypertension and diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance showed no correlation with blepharitis. Conclusion Blepharitis is significantly related to MetS and can serve as an early sign of MetS. Additional studies should examine the relationship between blepharitis and MetS in terms of severity.
The smooth muscle-type β1 subunit potentiates activation by DiBAC4(3) in recombinant BK channels

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated (BK) channels, expressed in a variety of tissues, play a fundamental role in regulating and maintaining arterial tone. We recently demonstrated that the slow voltage indicator DiBAC4(3) does not depend, as initially proposed, on the β1 or β4 subunits to activate native arterial smooth muscle BK channels. Using recombinant mslo BK channels, we now show that the β1 subunit is not essential to this activation but exerts a large potentiating effect. DiBAC4(3) promotes concentration-dependent activation of BK channels and slows deactivation kinetics, changes that are independent of Ca2+. Kd values for BK channel activation by DiBAC4(3) in 0 mM Ca2+ are approximately 20 μM (α) and 5 μM (α+β1), and G-V curves shift up to −40mV and −110 mV, respectively. β1 to β2 mutations R11A and C18E do not interfere with the potentiating effect of the subunit. Our findings should help refine the role of the β1 subunit in cardiovascular pharmacology.
Phenotyping neuropathic pain patients: implications for individual therapy and clinical trials

Purpose of reviewThe sensory phenotype can be used as a surrogate marker of underlying mechanisms of pain generation and is assessed by tools like the Quantitative Sensory Testing, Patient Reported Outcomes or the Capsaicin Response Test. In order to establish an individualized, mechanism-based treatment of pain, it has to be demonstrated that subgroups of patients with a distinct sensory phenotype respond differently to a certain treatment. Recent findingsRetrospective analyses of several clinical trials revealed that the presence of certain somatosensory abnormalities in the painful area was associated with a better treatment outcome. Examples will be discussed in this article, showing that somatosensory phenotyping of patients with neuropathic pain is a promising method to subgroup patients in order to predict their response to treatment. SummaryThe discussed trials show the importance of the development of an individualized pain therapy. Up to now, no clinical trial has prospectively used the sensory phenotype as an inclusion or stratification criterion. Academic researchers and pharmaceutical industry should be encouraged to implement this approach in future trial designs.
Entacapone improves the availability of L-dopa in plasma by decreasing its peripheral metabolism independent of L-dopa/carbidopa dose.

AIMS Entacapone is a peripherally acting catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor. To improve the benefits of oral L-dopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), entacapone is administered as a 200 mg dose with each daily dose of L-dopa. This study evaluated the effects of entacapone 200 mg on the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of L-dopa given as standard release L-dopa/carbidopa. METHODS Six different doses of l-dopa/carbidopa were investigated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind (regarding entacapone), randomized, single-dose study in 46 young healthy males. The subjects were divided into three groups (n = 14-16). Two different L-dopa/carbidopa doses were administered to each subject (50/12.5 mg and 150/37.5 mg, or 100/10 mg and 100/25 mg, or 200/50 mg and 250/25 mg). Each dose was given on two occasions; simultaneously with entacapone or with placebo, in random order, on two consecutive study visits, separated by a washout period of at least 3 weeks (four-way crossover design). Serial blood samples were drawn before dosing and up to 24 h after the dose and pharmacokinetic parameters of L-dopa, its metabolites, carbidopa, and entacapone were determined. RESULTS Entacapone increased the AUC(0,12 h) of L-dopa to a similar extent at all doses of L-dopa/carbidopa, that is by about 30-40% compared with placebo (P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.15, 0.40). When evaluated as the ratio of geometric means, entacapone slightly decreased the mean C(max) values for L-dopa at all L-dopa/carbidopa doses compared with placebo. When given with entacapone, higher plasma concentrations of L-dopa were maintained for a longer period at all doses of L-dopa/carbidopa. Entacapone also decreased the peripheral formation of 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) to about 55-60% of the placebo treatment level (P < 0.001, 95% CI -0.72, -0.35) and increased the mean AUC(0,12 h) of 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid (DOPAC) 2-2.6-fold compared with placebo (P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.60, 1.10). The mean AUC(0,12 h) of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylacetic acid (HVA) following entacapone was approximately 65-75% of that observed with placebo (P < 0.001-0.05, 95% CI -0.76, -0.01) at each L-dopa/carbidopa dose except the 50/12.5 mg dose (P > 0.05, 95% CI -0.59, 0.05). The metabolic ratios (MR, AUC metabolite/AUC L-dopa) also confirmed that entacapone significantly decreased the proportion of 3-OMD (P < 0.001, 95% CI -0.85, -0.68) and HVA (P < 0.001, 95% CI -1.01, -0.18) in plasma at each L-dopa/carbidopa dose, whereas the AUC DOPAC/AUC L-dopa ratio was increased again at all doses (P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.26, 0.90). Entacapone did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of carbidopa at any of the doses, nor did L-dopa/carbidopa affect the pharmacokinetics of entacapone. CONCLUSIONS The 200 mg dose of entacapone similarly and significantly increases the AUC of L-dopa by changing the metabolic balance of L-dopa independent of the L-dopa/carbidopa dose and therefore entacapone is likely to have a similar L-dopa potentiating effect independent of L-dopa dose.
Thiamine deficiency in infants: MR findings in the brain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Thiamine deficiency is extremely rare in infants in developed countries. To our knowledge, its MR findings in the brain have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the brain MR findings in infants with encephalopathy due to thiamine deficiency. METHODS The study group included six infants aged 2-10 months with encephalopathy who had been fed with solely soy-based formula devoid of thiamine from birth. All underwent MR evaluation at admission and follow-up (total of 14 examinations). In one patient, MR spectroscopy (MRS) was performed. RESULTS In five patients T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, or proton-attenuated sequences showed bilateral and symmetric hyperintensity in the periaqueductal area, basal ganglia and thalami. Five had lesions in the mammillary bodies, and three, in the brain stem. In all six patients, the frontal region (cortex and white matter) was clearly involved. At presentation, MRS of the periaqueductal area showed a lactate doublet. On long-term follow-up, three of four patients had severe frontal damage; in two, this occurred as part of diffuse parenchymal loss, and in one, it was accompanied by atrophy of the basal ganglia and thalami. CONCLUSION Thiamine deficiency in infants is characterized by involvement of the frontal lobes and basal ganglia, in addition to the lesions in the periaqueductal region, thalami, and the mammillary bodies described in adults. MRS demonstrates a characteristic lactate peak.
Early Bactericidal Activity of Moxifloxacin in Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: a Prospective, Randomized Study

ABSTRACT Moxifloxacin is the most active fluoroquinolone against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. However, data about the efficacy in patients are not available. We enrolled 17 patients with tuberculosis in a prospective, randomized study. After 5 days of monotherapy with either moxifloxacin or isoniazid, we detected significant decreases in mean CFU per milliliter in sputum in both groups. The calculated early bactericidal activities for isoniazid and moxifloxacin were 0.209 and 0.273 log10 CFU per ml of sputum per day, respectively. According to the data from our study, moxifloxacin exhibits an early bactericidal activity that is comparable to that of isoniazid.
Clinical and Genetic Aspects of Seizure Disorders Prevalent in an Isolated African Population

Summary: In an isolated tribe in the interior of Tanzania the authors found that approximately 200 persons among an intake population of 10,000 persons presented at the bush clinic with kifafa, a convulsive seizure disorder that often leads to severe burns in those afflicted. Many of these patients showed parkinsonian symptoms and/or other neurological abnormalities and mental détérioration; there was high mortality. A frequent variant of the disease in children involved head nodding, which was often a precursor of later grand mal seizures. Transient psychotic episodes were seen in approximately 20% of all patients. The clinic patients were followed up to 10 years. The necessarily simple anticonvulsive treatment with phenobarbitone reduced the seizure frequency and intensity in the majority of cases. We shall discuss possible reasons for the high prevalence of seizure disorders in this tribe. Genetic factors appear to be of major importance and are reflected in the demonstrated high family incidence. Genetic analysis of the data does not support chromosomal, multifactorial, X‐linked, or autosomal‐dominant modes of inheritance. Analysis by the Li‐Mantel method indicates that the segregation ratios are compatible with a hypothesis of single autosomal‐recessive inheritance. Clinical and genetic data suggest that a hitherto unknown systemic disease of the central nervous system is highly prevalent in this isolated population.
Diabetic nephropathy: lessons from the mouse.

BACKGROUND A fundamental problem in the identification of new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in diabetic nephropathy has been the lack of an experimental mouse model that faithfully recapitulates human diabetic nephropathy. METHODS Our laboratory, in collaboration with Drs Kakoki and Smithies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, has developed novel strains of Akita diabetic mice in which the p66 longevity gene has been deleted by homologous recombination. We chose to delete p66 because p66 controls mitochondrial metabolism and cellular responses to oxidative stress, aging, and apoptosis. The redox function of p66 is indispensable for the exponential increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with diabetes. RESULTS p66 null Akita mice express a protection phenotype in kidneys that includes marked attenuation of oxidative stress and glomerular/tubular injury and a striking reduction in urine albumin excretion. Furthermore, the p66 null mutation not only confers a survival advantage to podocytes but also prevents foot process effacement and retains the stationary phenotype. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) deacetylase and p66 share overlapping biological functions but induce divergent phenotypes, including opposite effects on longevity, ROS metabolism, cell senescence, and apoptosis. Exciting new data from our laboratory show that SIRT1 is upregulated in the kidneys of p66 null Akita mice and decreases acetylation of p53, which destabilizes the p53 protein and prevents the transcription of p53 proapoptosis genes. Conversely, SIRT1 activates the transcription of FOXO3a-dependent stress gene programs that detoxify ROS and promote the survival phenotype. CONCLUSION We will focus future research on translating these experimental findings in the mouse to clinical diabetic nephropathy.
Generation Scheduling Optimization of Wind-Energy Storage System Based on Wind Power Output Fluctuation Features

As the output from wind power generation is intermittent in nature, making the wind power output “dependable” is critical for seamless integration of wind generation. One of the most favorable solutions is incorporating energy storage system (ESS) with wind farms to establish a wind-energy storage hybrid system. Since it requires capital investment for ESS installation, it is important to estimate appropriate storage capacity and charging/discharging rate of ESS for desired applications. In this paper, the fluctuation feature of wind power output is analyzed both in time domain and frequency domain. The degree of fluctuation is extracted and illustrated as quantization index (QI). Based on QI clustering, the wind scenario with largest power fluctuation is selected as “worst performance,” according to which, scheduling time horizon, along with the capacity and charging/discharging power of ESS, can be determined. After the case study, the proposed model is proved to improve the generation scheduling process.