Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A polarization dependent left handed metamaterial for telecommunication

A polarization dependent, left handed metamaterial based on single layer patterned resonant structure intended for Cfrequency band with 2.14GHz wide bandwidth is proposed. The size of a single unit cell is 11 × 11mm2 and the effective medium ratio is 5.27. CST Microwave Studio electromagnetic simulator is used to design and numerical analysis as well as Agilent N5227A VNA is for measurement. The measured results show resonance peaks at 5.17GHz and applicable for IEEE 802.11a Wi-Fi and cordless telephone applications. The proposed metamaterial is explained by lumped circuit model and exhibits left handed characteristics at 6.43GHz.
Interactive visualization of hepatic parenchyma with applications to surgery simulators

Computer Assisted Diagnosis/Surgery systems provide an indisputable effect on the diagnosis and surgery of hepatic diseases. We developed a CAS system to prepare a virtual environment for a physician so as to interact with liver and decide on the therapy planning. The proposed system is composed of three modules, liver segmentation, vessel extraction, and visualization / interaction. It provides the physician a virtual scalpel to cut the liver. At first, inside of liver together with the vessels are shown to the physician and then the virtual surgery is started. A toggling option makes it easy to reveal inside of liver or make it opaque during the surgery. The width, height, and depth of the cut can be changed by the user. The proposed system is a framework which can later be extended to a complete CAD/CAS system for hepatic disease analysis and therapy planning.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING. A CASE STUDY IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING COMPANY

The present paper addresses quality management from the specific perspective of project management consulting service providers, in the framework of large infrastructure projects. Because of their supposed superiority in knowledge and experience, project management consultants have an ultimate responsibility for the proper implementing of the project. Therefore, quality management in consulting organizations should focus on critical success factors. As there is no consensus yet regarding the most important aspects of the consulting activity on which depend the achievement of the project aims, there is scope for further investigating this subject. Here, the case of a project management consulting organization involved in large infrastructure projects in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine and Serbia is analyzed. Data collected through a questionnaire-based survey among international consultants and support personnel suggest that factors related to leadership style and communication skills are more closely tied to the success of the project than more technical aspects. The results constitute an empirical evidence of main success factors for specialized consulting services in project management and can be useful in improving business and project performance and achieving business excellence.
Firm Risk and Performance: The Role of Corporate Governance in Bertam Alliance Berhad

The aim of this study is to analyze company profit and firm performance with the specific risk. The data obtained from the annual report Bertam Alliance Berhad starting from the year 2012 to the year 2015. The measurement of liquidity ratio and operating ratio used to see the overall performance of the Bertam Alliance Berhad in 5 years. The other measurement that have been used is current ratio, debt to equity ratio, return on asset, return on equity and the average collection period. To see the relationship of the risks factors to the profitability, this study use liquidity ratio which is current ratio, GDP and operating ratio. The data was analysed by using correlation table. In this study found that the return of asset is positively significant to return on equity.
Funding and Management in the Media Convergence Era: Introduction

ABSTRACT Media convergence has been mapped from a variety of perspectives, with scholars tracing the impact of digital convergence, for example, on everything from texts to consumption. Yet, few have examined how the rise of a convergent media landscape is impacting funding in and across contemporary media industries. It is important to examine such a relationship, and to assess ways in which convergent characteristics of connectivity, hybridity and networked society have informed approaches to funding across media sectors. This introductory article to this special issue “Funding and Management in the Media Convergence Era” briefly outlines the approaches of the five authors. Individually, each article examines innovations in funding across a variety of different media sectors and platforms, looking across contemporary children’s television, public service broadcasting, crowdfunded news and journalism, film production in Greece, and Japanese animation. Altogether, the articles in this special issue explore the broader implications of a contemporary media culture that is more sharable, hybridized, and connected on traditional funding models.
Bank Balance Sheets and the Value of Lending

We study 1,400 UK syndicated loans, together with the financial history of the lead bank and the borrowing firm. We interpret abnormal equity returns around loan announcements as the value of the lending relationship to the firm. We find that: (i) Consistent with previous evidence, the value of lending is higher when the firm is riskier or more opaque, suggesting that it primarily reflects the lead bank’s screening and monitoring activities. (ii) As a bank becomes larger, more profitable or more capitalized, the value of its loans first increases and then decreases. The largest, most capitalised or most profitable banks do not give the most valuable loans. (iii) Firms which receive low-value loans are more likely to experience low profitability and financial distress during the lending relationship. By relating the state of bank balance sheets to borrower performance, we offer a new angle to evaluate the impact of financial conditions on the real economy.
Recovery of Signal Projection in Wavelet Space

A new cost function is proposed to recover signal pro- jection in wavelet Space. It is shown that if an interpolation func- tion exists in the wavelet subspace, then the recovery of signal is identical to the minimization of cost function, which projects the signal on the approximation space. At last, the simulation proves our conclusion.
The Mesoglea and Muscle-fibres of Chlorohydra viridissima

The structure and relations of the mesoglea, muscle-fibres, and cell layers were examined by several histological techniques. Evidence is given that the muscle-fibres represent specializations of the mesogleal substance, and they are therefore referred to as mesogleal fibres. The longitudinal fibrous system is regularly demonstrable in the body of the animal and the circular system in its tentacles. The circular system in the body cannot regularly be shown and is variable in its appearance. The evidence from the study of the fibres, and of the mesoglea of the pedal disk, leads to the suggestion that some at least of the fibres are labile structures, ‘crystallizing’ from the mesoglea according to the shape and movements of the animal.
Phytoremediation of lead from wastewater using aquatic plants.

Increasing urbanization, industrialization and over population is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation and pollution. Heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, As etc. are one of the most toxic pollutants which show hazardous effects on all living livings. Lead is one such pollutants which disrupts the food chain and is lethal even at low concentrations. The prevailing purification technologies used for removal of contaminants from wastewater are not only very costly but causes negative impact on ecosystem subsequently. Phytoremediation, an ecofriendly technology which is both ecologically sound and economically viable is an attractive alternative to the current cleanup methods that are very expensive. This technology involves efficient use of aquatic plants to remove, detoxify or immobilize heavy metals. The purpose of this review was to assess the current state of phytoremediation as an innovative technology and to discuss its usefulness and potential in the remediation of lead contaminated water.
Co‐operative signalling through DP1 and DP2 prostanoid receptors is required to enhance leukotriene C4 synthesis induced by prostaglandin D2 in eosinophils

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prostaglandin (PG) D2 has emerged as a key mediator of allergic inflammatory pathologies and, particularly, PGD2 induces leukotriene (LT) C4 secretion from eosinophils. Here, we have characterized how PGD2 signals to induce LTC4 synthesis in eosinophils.
Low dose glucantime therapy in Leishmania viannia braziliensis (Lvb) infections.

Good drug trials in leishmaniasis with carefully controlled groups are rare. Recently Ballou et al1 were able to establish that 20mg Sbv/kg body wt for 20 days was more efficacious in closing leishmanial ulcers due to Leishmania braziliensis panamensis than lOmg Sb¥/kg/body wt for a similar period. Conditions for this trial were much more favourable than those where we work namely field clinics in the cacao growing region of Bahia, Brazil. Here almost all human infec­ tions are due to Lvb. We have had primitive field clinic facilities and an ovewhelming press of patients. In 1984 an epidemic occurred in the region of Corte de Pedra where the incidence figure for 1984 reached 83 patients per 1,000 with acute cutaneous ulceration due to Lvb4 (França et al, in press).
Paradigm Shift from Market Driven to Market Driving Strategy in Smartphone Handset Industry: A Comparison

Marketing has changed rapidly over time. Especially the Hi-Tech Industry has shifted its marketing strategies from traditional customer driven strategies to modern customer driving strategies. Customer driven market strategies focused on understanding the needs of the customers and satisfying those needs whereas customer driving strategies deals with generating needs, creating value proposition and delighting the customers by providing new-to-the-world products. The paper focused on the fundamentals of both the market driven and market driving strategies. It provides a comparison between both the strategies and concludes that hi-tech industry has successfully adopted the market driving strategies.
Frequency and Risk Factors for Repeat Abortions After Surgical Compared With Medical Termination of Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency and risk factors for repeat abortions after surgical compared with medical termination of pregnancy. METHODS: Frequency of and risk factors for repeat abortions after medical (performed with mifepristone alone, or with a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol or other prostaglandins) compared with surgical (dilation and curettage, or vacuum aspiration) termination of pregnancy were studied using Finnish national health registries. The cohort consisted of 40,360 women undergoing termination of pregnancy between 2000 and 2005 (19,841 medical and 20,519 surgical abortions) with duration of gestation of 63 days or less. Univariable and multivariable association models were used in connection with various factors associated with repeat abortion. The mean (±standard deviation) follow-up times were 3.0 (±1.5) and 4.3 (±1.9) years, respectively. RESULTS: Women choosing surgical and medical abortion differed subtly, but significantly in several respects. The total number of repeat terminations was 37.9 per follow-up year per 1,000 after surgical termination of pregnancy and 40.4 after medical termination of pregnancy (P=.01). However, medical termination of pregnancy was not linked to an increased risk of another abortion when compared with surgical methods (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–1.04). In multivariable analysis, the risk factors for repeat abortion were parity (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.85–2.14), previous abortion(s) (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.60–1.82), low socioeconomic status (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.39), and being unmarried but cohabiting (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.25) or single (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.15–1.36). The risk of repeat termination of pregnancy decreased with age, among women living in rural areas, and when intrauterine devices or sterilization were planned for future contraception. CONCLUSION: The risk of repeat abortion is associated with various sociodemographic characteristics. The method of abortion used is not a risk factor for repeat termination of pregnancy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Scintillation Characteristics Across the GPS Frequency Band

We investigate the characteristics of ionospheric scintillation across the entire GPS frequency band spanning the L5–L1 carrier signals (1176 MHz–1575 MHz). Of particular interest is the intensity correlation between carrier pairs, since this dictates the extent to which frequency diversity may be leveraged to mitigate scintillation impacts on navigation accuracy. Since only a few satellites currently broadcast the L2C and L5 signals, a limited number of scintillation field measurements have been collected to date. We show recent scintillations observations on L2C in Brazil collected in April 2012. Since current solar conditions are less disturbed than during the previous two solar maximum periods, however, it is not possible to explore the full range of scintillation conditions with current measurements alone. Therefore, we have developed a high-fidelity simulation technique to infer the complex (amplitude and phase) fluctuations of the L2 and L5 carrier signals from complex fluctuations of the L1 carrier signal recorded during the previous solar maximum. We compare this technique with two stochastic approaches which use the S4 index, rather than the raw complex data, as input. After demonstrating that the three techniques yield consistent results, we apply the simplest of these approaches to a database of L1 S4 observations
Factors Affecting Customers Brand Switching Behavior in Mobile Telecommunication Industry: A Study of Pabna District in Bangladesh

The mobile telecommunication market in Bangladesh has already been saturated. In this matured market every company wants to protect their customer from being switched to their competitors. On the other hand, every company tries to attract the competitor’s customer. In this situation it is very important to understand every detail of the customers switching behavior. This study was intended to identify the factors affecting brand switching behavior as well as the factors which create the switching barrier. Handle: http://hdl.handle. net/20.500. 11903/abr.v6n3. 1
The post-operative analgesic effects of ketamine after canine ovariohysterectomy--a comparison between pre- or post-operative administration.

Thirty-six female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy were randomly allocated into three groups in this assessor-blinded study. The control group received no ketamine, the preketamine group were given ketamine (2.5 mg kg(-1)i.m. ) at anaesthetic induction (in addition to the induction agents), the post-ketamine group received ketamine (2.5 mg kg(-1)i.m. ) at extubation. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were measured before premedication and post-operatively at 20 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 18 hours after extubation. Dogs in the control group required more rescue analgesics than those in the other two groups (significantly more than the preketamine group), they also had consistently higher VAS pain scores throughout the post-operative period. Administration of ketamine post-operatively delayed the onset of post-operative wound hyperalgesia; dogs in the control group had the greatest amount of post-operative wound hyperalgesia. A single subanaesthetic dose of ketamine provided effective but short acting analgesia and preoperative administration may confer some benefits over administration post-operatively.
Evaluation of neutralizing antibodies in patients treated with recombinant interferon-beta ser.

Patients receiving recombinant interferon-beta ser (rIFN-beta ser) for cancer and viral diseases were evaluated for formation of antibodies with IFN-neutralizing activity. The assay for serum neutralizing activity measures the ability of the sample to neutralize the antiviral activity of rIFN-beta ser. Neutralizing antibody incidence was route dependent. Of 335 patients treated intravenously, 3 were positive, representing an incidence of 0.9%. The remaining 13 antibody-positive patients had been treated subcutaneously, representing an incidence of 9.6% (13/136). In general, peak titers for neutralizing activity were low to moderate; 15 of the 16 patients (94%) had titers between 100 and 2,000 neutralizing units/ml. The incidence of neutralizing antibodies was higher in patients who had been under study for longer periods of time. Mean time of onset of neutralizing activity for the 16 positive patients was about 5 months. Because length of time on study appeared to be a possible predisposing factor for development of neutralizing antibodies, we recalculated the incidence of this activity for all patients on study for 5 months or longer (90 i.v., 71 s.c.). All of the 16 neutralizing-positive patients were on study for more than 150 days, whereas the remaining 87 in the i.v. group and 58 in the s.c. group were negative. Thus, a longer time on study appears to increase incidence, but in only a portion of subjects treated. No adverse clinical effects could be directly associated with neutralizing antibodies.
Performance Evaluation of the Jordanian Commercial Banks Based on Bankometer Parameters

Due to the vital role of banking sector in every country’s economy, the sustainability of this sector became a priority especially in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. The main objective of this study is to assess the soundness of Jordanian commercial banks listed in Amman’s Stock Exchange (ASE) during the period (2008-2015). The study applied the Bankometer model analysis and concluded that all banks under study are safe in terms of all parameters of the model despite the slowdown of economy and the regional instability.
Antihypertensive contribution of sodium depletion and the sympathetic axis during chronic angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibition.

The known physiological adaptation of cardiovascular sensitivity to variations in angiotensin II (Ang II) levels would predict that the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect of Ang II inhibition might be at least partly counterbalanced by enhanced Ang II reactivity. Therefore, factors other than Ang II inhibition per se may contribute to the antihypertensive mechanisms of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In order to further investigate this, the body sodium-blood volume state as well as the pressor reactivity to infused Ang II or norepinephrine (NE) were assessed in 12 normal subjects and 16 patients with essential hypertension given a placebo, and after 6 weeks of intervention with enalapril (20-40 mg/day). Enalapril produced in both groups similar falls in plasma ACE activity (P less than 0.0001) and upright plasma aldosterone (P less than 0.01), and a rise in plasma renin activity (PRA; P less than 0.05). BP decreased from 156/107 +/- 3/2 (mean +/- s.e.m.) to 142/94 +/- 5/3 mmHg (P less than 0.001) in the hypertensives and from 118/84 +/- 4/2 to 111/73 +/- 4/3 mmHg (P less than 0.01) in the normal subjects. In the hypertensive patients only, the Ang II pressor reactivity relative to Ang II plasma levels during Ang II infusion was increased (P less than 0.01), while the NE pressor reactivity relative to NE plasma levels during NE infusion (P less than 0.01) as well as the exchangeable body sodium (-5%, P less than 0.001) were reduced significantly. Blood and plasma volume, levels of plasma atrial natriuretic factor and catecholamines, and the heart rate and its response to isoproterenol were unchanged in both groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Vulture Funds and Fresh Start Accounting of Firms Emerging from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

We study how distress-oriented hedge funds (vulture funds) play an important role in the fresh start valuation of firms emerging from Chapter 11 reorganization. We find that loan-to-own vultures acquire debt positions of the distressed firm that grant dominant power in the bankruptcy negotiations, and they then use the discretion allowed by fresh start accounting to introduce valuation bias in their favor. We show that the strategic influence over fresh start values can create opportunities to increase vulture investors’ returns at the expense of other
Massive retiform hemangioendothelioma that expresses D2-40

Sir, A 42‐year‐old woman was admitted to Daping Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. She had a history of erythema, papules, nodules, and plaques on her left leg for more than 30 years. Two years prior to this, the skin lesions enlarged, became coalescent and spread to the left hip and calf. Severe muscle atrophy was observed in the left thigh and hip, along with mild tenderness [Figure 1a and b]. In addition, a large, diffuse dark‐red plaque with clear margins, was observed on the left hip and left thigh. Her vital signs were stable. Some papules/nodules were located on the periphery and some were interspersed within the plaque. These lesions were plump and had scaly, rough surfaces. When the lesions were palpated, warmth, mild tenderness, a moderately spongy consistency and low skin elasticity were detected. Isolated papules and nodules, approximately 1–3 cm in diameter, were observed on the left calf and some were ruptured or scabbed. Lymphography of the legs indicated a lymphatic obstruction and infiltrates in the middle left thigh [Figure 2]. The pathological characteristics of the biopsy specimen were as follows: a retiform pattern (similar to rete testis tissue) was observed in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues. The vascular channels were lined by monomorphic endothelial cells with apical nuclei and sparse cytoplasm which presented a hobnail pattern and protruded into the lumen. A large number of lymphocytes and spindled or epithelioid cells were observed around the lumen. Regional intravascular papillae with collagenous cores were observed [Figure 3a and b]. Immunohistochemically, endothelial staining was positive for D2‐40, CD34, CD31 and Ki‐67 (the positive labeling index of Ki‐67 was 15%) [Figure 3c‐f]. Smooth muscle actin staining was observed in the vessel wall, but was negative in endothelial cells [Figure 3g]. A microscopic examination of the surgically resected sentinel lymph node showed no evidence of metastasis. According to the above findings, the patient was diagnosed with retiform hemangioendothelioma.