Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Active Bias Network for the Characterization of Low-Frequency Dispersion in High-Power Microwave Electron Devices

In this paper a new active bias network (ABN) for the technology-independent characterization of low-frequency (LF) dispersion in the output impedance and transadmittance of high-power microwave transistors is described. The proposed bias network is capable of synthesizing a high-impedance active DC-feed in the range of 10 Hz-1 MHz, where III-V microwave devices typically exhibit frequency response dispersion due to energy traps and/or self-heating. The input impedance values obtained in such a large bandwidth (five decades) are considerably higher than those that can be achieved with passive resistive and inductive solutions. In fact, these lead to severe limitations in terms of achievable impedance values, calibration accuracy, power handling capabilities, and physical dimensions. The ABN is particularly suitable for the characterization of high-voltage and high-current devices. In particular, here it is used, along with standard laboratory instrumentation, for the characterization of the LF dispersion of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT, suitable for microwave power amplifier applications.
Clinical risk scores and blood biomarkers as predictors of long‐term outcome in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia: a 6‐year prospective follow‐up study

Prediction of long‐term outcomes in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is incompletely understood. We investigated the value of clinical risk scores [pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB‐65] (Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood Pressure, Age >65 years) and blood biomarkers of different physiopathological pathways in predicting long‐term survival in a well‐characterized cohort of patients with CAP enrolled in an antibiotic stewardship trial.
The Effects of Men’s Hostility Toward Women, Acute Alcohol Intoxication, and Women’s Condom Request Style on Men’s Condom Use Resistance Tactics

Objective: The aim of this study was to extend previous research demonstrating that intoxicated men high in hostility toward women report stronger intentions to use coercive condom use resistance (CUR) tactics to have unprotected sex by examining the role of women’s condom request style. Method: Community, nonproblem-drinking men, ages 21–30 years (N = 296) completed standard alcohol administration procedures and read an eroticized story of a casual sexual interaction. After the woman’s request to use a condom, intentions to engage in coercive CUR tactics were assessed. Generalized linear models with gamma distributions assessed the 3-way interaction of men’s hostility toward women, beverage condition (alcohol or sober), and the woman’s condom request style (indirect, direct, or insistent). Results: The 3-way interaction among hostility toward women, beverage condition, and indirect condom request (vs. direct) significantly predicted men’s coercive CUR intentions. Men high in hostility toward women reported stronger CUR intentions after experiencing an indirect condom request, when sober or intoxicated, and after a direct condom request when intoxicated. Men high in hostility toward women reported the weakest CUR intentions when sober after an insistent or direct condom request. Conclusions: Men high in hostility toward women pose a threat to women’s sexual safety, particularly when intoxicated or after an indirect condom request. Hostility toward women and alcohol consumption should be addressed in sexual risk prevention programs. Pending further replication, women should be informed of the relative effectiveness of using insistent condom requests.
Obstacles to Effective Developmental Surveillance: Errors in Clinical Reasoning

Recent research and legislation support the importance of early identification and intervention for children with developmental and behavioral or emotional problems. Detecting these children often depends on medical professionals, especially pediatricians. However, few pediatricians use developmental screening tests to help them identify children. Rather, physicians usually rely on their clinical impressions to discriminate children with and without difficulties. Research on the accuracy of clinical impressions, although sparse, suggests that only half the children in need are identified. The most obvious reasons, such as severity of the problem or the type of clinical information physicians select (e.g., parents' concerns, observations of the child, history, etc.), do not fully explain why some children are identified and others are not. More complete explanations are found in research on clinical impression formation that suggests physician's selection from the array of clinical data is mediated by their unique experiences, beliefs, and attitudes. These qualities provide a set of judgment heuristics for sorting seemingly relevant from irrelevant information. Judgment heuristics, depending on their content, may lead to accurate or inaccurate impressions. This article suggests a model of ideal impression formation that may help physicians learn to more accurately identify children with developmental and behavioral or emotional problems. J Dev Behav Pediatr 14:344–349, 1993. Index terms: clinical judgment, developmental/behavioral screening, medical reasoning, early identification.
The vascular permeability factor is a T lymphocyte product.

The vascular permeability factor (VPF) is a vascular-permeability-enhancing lymphokine produced in excess by concanavalin A (Con-A)-stimulated lymphocytes from patients with nephrotic syndrome [5, 10]. The identity of the cell subset implicated in VPF production is still being debated: while Shimizu [9] has reported that VPF is produced by B lymphocytes, for Tomizawa et al. [11] this lymphokine is produced by T cells. In order to determine the VPF-releasing subsets we studied 10 adult patients (5 females and 5 males, 20–56 years old) with untreated nephrotic syndrome (protein-uria > 5 g/d) without renal failure. Histological findings included minimal change disease (3 cases), focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (1 case), membranous glomerulonephritis (2 cases), type I membranoprolifera-tive glomerulonephritis (4 cases). We filtered unfraction-ated blood lymphocytes through a glass-wool column and cultured them in the presence of Con-A as previously described [5]. To isolate lymphocyte subpopulations, venous blood samples were submitted to Ficoll-Hypaque gradient. Collected mononuclear cells were allowed to form E-rosettes with sheep red blood cells. A second gradient centrifugation was performed with these cellular complexes, and finally the cells were recovered, washed and treated with 0.17 M ammonium chloride to
Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Pb(II) over Ag loaded TiO2 with formic acid as hole scavenger

In the present study, photocatalytic Pb(II) reduction over TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 catalysts in the presence of formic acid was explored to eliminate Pb(II) pollution in water. Ag/TiO2 catalysts were prepared by the photo-deposition method and characterized using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, X-ray reflection diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Ag deposition on TiO2 led to enhanced photocatalytic Pb(II) reduction and the Ag/TiO2 catalyst with a Ag loading amount of 0.99 wt. % exhibited the optimum photocatalytic activity. For Pb(II) reduction over Ag/TiO2 with a Ag loading amount of 0.99 wt. %, initial Pb(II) reduction rate was found to be dependent on the initial concentrations of formic acid and Pb(II). Increasing initial Pb(II) concentration led to linearly increased initial Pb(II) reduction rate. At low formic acid concentration, in parallel, initial Pb(II) reduction rates increased with formic concentration, but remained nearly identical at high formic acid concentration. Solution pH impacted the photocatalytic Pb(II) reduction and after irradiation for 100 min Pb(II) was removed by 11.8%, 91.2% and 98.6% at pH of 0.8, 2.0 and 3.5, respectively, indicative of enhanced Pb(II) reduction with pH in the tested pH range. The results showed that Ag/TiO2 displayed superior catalytic activity to TiO2, highlighting the potential of using Ag/TiO2 as a more effective catalyst for photocatalytic Pb(II) reduction.
Kinetics of Hedgehog-Dependent Full-Length Gli3 Accumulation in Primary Cilia and Subsequent Degradation

ABSTRACT Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in vertebrates depends on intraflagellar transport (IFT) within primary cilia. The Hh receptor Patched is found in cilia in the absence of Hh and is replaced by the signal transducer Smoothened within an hour of Hh stimulation. By generating antibodies capable of detecting endogenous pathway transcription factors Gli2 and Gli3, we monitored their kinetics of accumulation in cilia upon Hh stimulation. Localization occurs within minutes of Hh addition, making it the fastest reported readout of pathway activity, which permits more precise temporal and spatial localization of Hh signaling events. We show that the species of Gli3 that accumulates at cilium tips is full-length and likely not protein kinase A phosphorylated. We also confirmed that phosphorylation and βTrCP/Cul1 are required for endogenous Gli3 processing and that this is inhibited by Hh. Surprisingly, however, Hh-dependent inhibition of processing does not lead to accumulation of full-length Gli3, but instead renders it labile, leading to its proteasomal degradation via the SPOP/Cul3 complex. In fact, full-length Gli3 disappears with faster kinetics than the Gli3 repressor, the latter not requiring SPOP/Cul3 or βTrCP/Cul1. This may contribute to the increased Gli3 activator/repressor ratios found in IFT mutants.
Microbial nutrient niches in the gut

Summary The composition and function of the mammalian gut microbiota has been the subject of much research in recent years, but the principles underlying the assembly and structure of this complex community remain incompletely understood. Processes that shape the gut microbiota are thought to be mostly niche‐driven, with environmental factors such as the composition of available nutrients largely determining whether or not an organism can establish. The concept that the nutrient landscape dictates which organisms can successfully colonize and persist in the gut was first proposed in Rolf Freter's nutrient niche theory. In a situation where nutrients are perfectly mixed and there is balanced microbial growth, Freter postulated that an organism can only survive if it is able to utilize one or a few limiting nutrients more efficiently than its competitors. Recent experimental work indicates, however, that nutrients in the gut vary in space and time. We propose that in such a scenario, Freter's nutrient niche theory must be expanded to account for the co‐existence of microorganisms utilizing the same nutrients but in distinct sites or at different times, and that metabolic flexibility and mixed‐substrate utilization are common strategies for survival in the face of ever‐present nutrient fluctuations.
Role of L-Ficolin/Mannose-Binding Lectin-Associated Serine Protease Complexes in the Opsonophagocytosis of Type III Group B Streptococci1

Serotype III group B streptococci (GBS) are a common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Although deficiency in maternal capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-specific IgG correlates with susceptibility of neonates to the GBS infection, serum deficient in CPS-specific IgG mediates significant opsonophagocytosis. This IgG-independent opsonophagocytosis requires activation of the complement pathway, a process requiring the presence of both Ca2+ and Mg2+, and is significantly reduced by chelating Ca2+ with EGTA. In these studies, we defined a role of L-ficolin/mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease (MASP) complexes in Ca2+-dependent, Ab-independent opsonophagocytosis of serotype III GBS. Incubation of GBS with affinity-purified L-ficolin/MASP complexes and C1q-depleted serum deficient in CPS-specific Ab supported opsonophagocytic killing, and this killing was inhibited by fluid-phase N-acetylglucosamine, the ligand for L-ficolin. Binding of L-ficolin was proportional to the CPS content of individual strains, and opsonophagocytic killing and C4 activation were inhibited by fluid-phase CPS, suggesting that L-ficolin binds to CPS. Sialic acid is known to inhibit alternative complement pathway activation, and, as expected, the bactericidal index (percentage of bacteria killed) for individual strains was inversely proportional to the sialic acid content of the CPS, and L-ficolin-initiated opsonophagocytic killing was significantly increased by addition of CPS-specific IgG2, which increased activation of the alternative pathway. We conclude that binding of L-ficolin/MASP complexes to the CPS generates C3 convertase C4b2a, which deposits C3b on GBS. C3b deposited by this lectin pathway forms alternative pathway C3 convertase C3bBb whose activity is enhanced by CPS-specific IgG2, leading to increased opsonophagocytic killing by further deposition of C3b on the GBS.
A Combination of rhBMP-2 (Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2) and MEK (MAP Kinase/ERK Kinase) Inhibitor PD0325901 Increases Bone Formation in a Murine Model of Neurofibromatosis Type I Pseudarthrosis.

BACKGROUND Congenital tibial dysplasia is a severe pediatric condition that classically results in a persistent pseudarthrosis. A majority of these cases are associated with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), a genetic disorder in which inactivation of the NF1 gene leads to overactivity of the Ras-MEK-MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway. We therefore hypothesized that pharmaceutical inhibition of MEK-MAPK may be a beneficial therapeutic strategy. METHODS In vitro methods were used to demonstrate a role for the MEK inhibitor PD0325901 in promoting osteogenic differentiation in Nf1-/- calvarial osteoblasts. Local applications of rhBMP-2 and/or PD0325901 were then tested in a mouse model of NF1 tibial pseudarthrosis featuring localized double inactivation of the Nf1 gene in a fracture. Mice received no treatment, PD0325901 (10 mg/kg/day from two days before fracture to ten days after fracture), rhBMP-2 (10 μg), or a combination of rhBMP-2 and PD0325901. RESULTS Animals treated with the delivery vehicle alone, PD0325901, rhBMP-2, or the PD0325901 + rhBMP-2 combination showed union rates of 0%, 8%, 69% (p < 0.01), or 80% (p < 0.01), respectively, at twenty-one days after fracture. Mice treated with the rhBMP-2 + PD0325901 combination displayed a callus volume sixfold greater than the vehicle controls and twofold greater than the group receiving rhBMP-2 alone. Although MEK inhibition combined with rhBMP-2 led to increases in bone formation and union, the proportion of fibrous tissue in the callus was not significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that MEK inhibition can promote bone formation in combination with rhBMP-2 in the context of an NF1 pseudarthrosis. However, PD0325901 did not promote substantive bone anabolism in the absence of an exogenous anabolic stimulus and did not suppress fibrosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study examines a signaling pathway-based approach to treating poor bone healing in a model of NF1 pseudarthrosis.
Accelerated 4D self‐gated MRI of tibiofemoral kinematics

Anatomical (static) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most useful imaging technique for the evaluation and assessment of internal derangement of the knee, but does not provide dynamic information and does not allow the study of the interaction of the different tissues during motion. As knee pain is often only experienced during dynamic tasks, the ability to obtain four‐dimensional (4D) images of the knee during motion could improve the diagnosis and provide a deeper understanding of the knee joint. In this work, we present a novel approach for dynamic, high‐resolution, 4D imaging of the freely moving knee without the need for external triggering. The dominant knee of five healthy volunteers was scanned during a flexion/extension task. To evaluate the effects of non‐uniform motion and poor coordination skills on the quality of the reconstructed images, we performed a comparison between fully free movement and movement instructed by a visual cue. The trigger signal for self‐gating was extracted using principal component analysis (PCA), and the images were reconstructed using a parallel imaging and compressed sensing reconstruction pipeline. The reconstructed 4D movies were scored for image quality and used to derive bone kinematics through image registration. Using our method, we were able to obtain 4D high‐resolution movies of the knee without the need for external triggering hardware. The movies obtained with and without instruction did not differ significantly in terms of image scoring and quantitative values for tibiofemoral kinematics. Our method showed to be robust for the extraction of the self‐gating signal even for uninstructed motion. This can make the technique suitable for patients who, as a result of pain, may find it difficult to comply exactly with instructions. Furthermore, bone kinematics can be derived from accelerated MRI without the need for additional hardware for triggering.
Analysis of signal voltage in a semiconductor ring laser gyro

It is expected that a semiconductor ring laser is useful as a gyro because of its tiny size. Here, we propose to use as signals voltage changes in a semiconductor ring laser corresponding to rotation. These changes in the voltage during rotation are caused by an interference of clockwise and counterclockwise laser beams inside the ring cavity. In this paper, these signal voltages are analyzed for the first time by using rate equations, It is shown that the signal voltages saturate with an increase in the injection current into a semiconductor ring laser if gain saturation is neglected. When gain saturation is considered, there exists an optimum injection current to obtain a signal voltage as large as possible. To confirm validity of this analysis, a signal voltage below laser threshold is compared with that of a semiconductor optical amplifier, and good agreement is obtained.
Detection of acute reperfusion myocardial hemorrhage with cardiac MR imaging: T2 versus T2.

PURPOSE To evaluate T2 and T2* changes in acute reperfused hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic myocardial infarctions and to determine which technique is more suitable in the detection of intramyocardial hemorrhage at 1.5 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patient studies were approved by the institutional review board and were HIPAA compliant. Patients (n = 14, three women) with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging 3 days after angioplasty. T2* maps, T2 short inversion time inversion-recovery (STIR) images, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images were acquired. Animal studies were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Canines (n = 20) were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury, and cardiac MR imaging was performed 5 days after reperfusion. T2* and T2 maps and T2 STIR and LGE images were acquired. Repeated-measures analysis of variance or the Friedman test was used to compare T2 and T2* changes in patients with hemorrhagic infarctions and those with nonhemorrhagic infarctions. RESULTS Relative to remote myocardium, mean T2* of hemorrhagic infarctions was 54% ± 13 (standard deviation) lower in patients (15.9 msec ± 4.5 vs 35.2 msec ± 2.1, P < .001) and 40% ± 10 lower in canines (23.0 msec ± 4.0 vs 39.3 msec ± 2.5, P < .001). Mean T2* of nonhemorrhagic infarctions was marginally elevated by 6% ± 2.5 (37.8 msec ± 2.5, P = .021) in patients and by 8% ± 5 (44.6 msec ± 4.8, P = .012) in canines. In contrast, mean T2 STIR signal intensity (SI) of both hemorrhagic infarctions and nonhemorrhagic infarctions was higher than that in remote myocardium both in patients (hemorrhagic: 37% ± 19, P < .001; nonhemorrhagic: 78% ± 27, P < .001) and in canines (hemorrhagic: 42% ± 22, P < .001; nonhemorrhagic: 65% ± 22, P < .001). Consistent with STIR SI findings, mean T2 of both hemorrhagic (62.0 msec ± 4.9) and nonhemorrhagic (71.7 msec ± 7.3) infarctions in canines was elevated relative to mean T2 of remote myocardium (52.1 msec ± 4.8) by 18% ± 9 and 38% ± 13, respectively (P < .001 for both). CONCLUSION T2* cardiac MR imaging is more suitable than T2 cardiac MR imaging in the detection and characterization of acute reperfusion myocardial hemorrhage. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL http://radiology.rsna. org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.13122397/-/DC1.
Textures recognition through tactile exploration for robotic applications

Achieving texture recognition through processing of tactile information could significantly improve robotic prehensile and manipulative capabilities. By producing an object signature based on such information, mishandling due to friction or slippage could be avoided. However, this would require acquisition and processing of tactile data in close to real time in order to function at task speed. This paper proposes a new texture-discriminating algorithm that requires very little exploratory movement. We compared the success rate of two types of exploratory movement for the recognition textures with directional properties such as grooves. Another goal of this study was to obtain an algorithm that is largely insensitive to the velocity and contact force of the sensor movement. We used a genetic algorithm to optimize the variables and the topology of our neural network. We improved the results with a new approach to majority voting that does not require numerous samples. Object classification was more than 90 % correct and most of the errors involved textures that humans are barely able to differentiate.
Economics of Dependence (1952-82)

During recent years attention has been increasingly directed towards the economic problems expected to arise in this country as a result of the increase which is foreseen over the next thirty years both in the number of elderly people and in their proportion to the population of working age. ' Assuming a continuation of the falling trend in mortality rates, the number of persons over the present minimum ages for retirement pensions (men 65, women 60) is expected to rise for about another thirty years, from 6 8 Mn. in 1952 to about 9 8 Mn. in 1982 and 1987. Of all persons over retirement age, women at present constitute slightly over two-thirds. The high proportion of women is due partly to their lower retirement age and partly to their greater longevity.
Febrile respiratory illness in the intensive care unit setting: an infection control perspective

Purpose of reviewWe have examined studies published since the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak that elucidate the mode of transmission of respiratory pathogens and the optimal means of interrupting their transmission, focusing on transmission in the intensive care unit. Recent findingsThe severe acute respiratory syndrome may be transmitted by the droplet, contact and occasionally the airborne route. Transmission occurred most frequently when healthcare workers failed to use standard precautions such as hand washing or personal protective equipment designed to limit droplet and contact transmission. Aerosol-generating procedures increased transmission, but incomplete use of personal protective equipment during procedures was common. Recent publications have stressed the benefits of appropriate staffing levels, the use of single occupancy rooms, the immunization of healthcare workers against influenza, and the importance of healthcare workers remaining home when ill in reducing the morbidity and mortality of respiratory infection within the intensive care unit. SummaryMost respiratory pathogens can be transmitted by more than one route. Despite this, healthcare worker awareness of clinical syndromes associated with respiratory pathogens that require airborne precautions, combined with the use of standard precautions for all patients, and contact/droplet precautions for patients with undifferentiated febrile respiratory illness should be effective in interrupting the transmission of respiratory pathogens within the intensive care unit.