Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complex source diffraction by wide cones: Exact and complex ray solutions

We consider scattering of a scalar complex source beam (CSB) by wide-angle cones. We derive an asymptotic solution that consists of a complex geometrical optics term augmented by complex tip diffraction, expressed as a local spectral integral. The results are compared to the exact solution, expressed as a complex conical-harmonics expansion. It is shown that unlike the narrow-cone case, considered by us in an earlier publication, scattering by a wide cone is dominated not only by tip diffraction but also by beam reflection expressed by complex rays.
Credibility Assessments of Online Health Information: The Effects of Source Expertise and Knowledge of Content

Millions of Americans use the Internet as a resource for information, with a large proportion seeking health information. Research indicates that medical professionals do not author an extensive amount of health information available on the Internet. This creates a possibility for false information, thereby potentially leading ill people away from proper care. One way to begin addressing this problem is to assess perceptions of credibility about information found online. A between-groups, 2 (message type) × 3 (source type) factorial design was tested by manipulating source expertise (high, medium, low) and content knowledge (known and unknown). While findings did not indicate a significant interaction between source and content type, they did indicate an overall tendency to rate all information as relatively credible. In addition, results indicate that both knowledge of content and source expertise affect perceptions of online health information.
Drinking motives in alcohol use disorder patients with and without social anxiety disorder

The high comorbidity of alcohol use disorders (AUD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) is often explained by excessive drinking in social situations to self-medicate social anxiety. Indeed, the motive to drink alcohol to lower social fears was found to be elevated in socially anxious persons. However, this social anxiety specific motive has not been directly investigated in primarily alcohol dependent individuals. We explored social anxiety, the motivation to drink alcohol in order to cope with social fears, and social anxiety as a consequence of drinking in AUD with and without comorbid SAD. Male AUD inpatients with (AUD+SAD group, N=23) and without comorbid SAD (N=37) completed a clinical interview and a questionnaire assessment. AUD+SAD patients reported higher levels of depression and an elevated motive to drink due to social anxiety but did not experience more social fears as a consequence of drinking. Previous results concerning alcohol drinking motives in order to relieve social fears could be replicated in a clinical AUD sample. Additionally, our findings suggest comorbid AUD+SAD patients to be more burdened regarding broader psychopathological symptoms. Thus, accessibility to SAD-specific screening and treatment procedures may be beneficial for primary AUD patients.
Similar virulence properties of infection and colonization associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Purpose. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the agents that are commonly implicated in nosocomial infections. However, it is also present as a commensal in various body sites of healthy persons, making the diagnosis of infection by culture difficult. A number of virulence factors expressed by the organism have been implicated in its pathogenicity. We undertook this study to identify the host and organism factors associated with infection. Methodology. Pathogenic, colonizing and environmental isolates were tested for apr, lasB, the T3SS effector exoenzymes (exoS, exoT, exoU and exoY) and toxA genes, biofilm production and antimicrobial susceptibility. The isolates were further typed by RAPD. Results. Eighty‐seven isolates from 61 patients, including 11 environmental isolates, were obtained. None of the virulence factors were found to be significantly associated with infection, and nor was the antimicrobial susceptibility. The presence of the exoU gene and infection by MDR strains correlated significantly with the duration of hospital stay. Positivity for exoS and exoU genes was found to be strongly correlated with multi‐drug resistance. exoU positivity correlated strongly with fluoroquinolone resistance. Sinks in the ward and intensive care unit were found to be a niche for XDR P. aeruginosa. Eighty‐five isolates were typeable using the ERIC2 primer, showing 71 distinct RAPD patterns with >15% difference in UPGMA‐generated dice coefficients. Conclusions. exoU positivity is associated with severe disease, as evidenced by the longer duration of hospital stay of these patients. However, the presence of virulence factors or multi‐drug resistance in the cultured strain should not prompt the administration of anti‐pseudomonal chemotherapy.
CTLA4 (CD152) modulates the Th subset response and alters the course of experimental Leishmania major infection

Since both the nature and the amplitude of an antigen‐specific T cell response are dependent on co‐stimulatory signals, we have invesigated the role of CD28 / CD152‐mediated T cell co‐stimulation in the regulation of experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. CD28‐deficient mice and their wild‐type littermates are equally susceptible to Leishmania major infection. Whole anti‐CD152 antibody significantly exacerbates the disease while anti‐CD152 Fab ameliorates the disease in genetically susceptible BALB / c mice but not in C57BL / 6, a resistant strain. The anti‐CD152‐induced exacerbation of the disease is accompanied by increased IL‐4‐secreting cell number, diminished parasite‐specific delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and augmented anti‐2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl (TNP) IgG1 in response to TNP‐leishmanial antigen crude soluble antigen (CSA), suggesting an exaggerated Th2 type of response. Anti‐CD152 Fab‐mediated amelioration of the disease is associated with increased IFN‐γ‐secreting cell number, increased parasite‐specific DTH response and enhanced IgG2a isotype in response to TNP‐CSA suggesting a Th1 type of response. Unlike TNP‐CSA, TNP‐keyhole limpet hemocyanin does not induce the change in Ig isotype, indicating that the immunomodulatory effect of anti‐CD152 is antigen specific. Anti‐CD152 antibody‐induced early change in Th subsets suggests an important role for CD152 in determining the course of L. major infection, perhaps by alteration of Th subset differentiation.
Nucleosidediphosphatase activity in the Golgi apparatus and its usefulness for cytological studies.

cytidine, and adenosine; thiamine pyrophosphate (Sigma); riboflavin phosphate (Sigma); and inorganic pyrophosphate (Merck). The last of these compounds was tested in the system of Naidoo and Pratt,"' with manganese substituted for magnesium ions. Preliminary experiments were also done with diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPN), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), guanosine diphosphate mannose (GDPM), and uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG). With these substrates, 3-5 mg of either acid phosphatase [wheat germ (Sigma)] or alkaline phosphatase [calf intestine (Worthington)] was added to the incubation medium, in order to liberate the phosphate residues from monophosphates resulting from any hydrolysis of the pyrophosphate bonds by the enzyme. The effects of calcium, magnesium, and manganese additions were studied, as were variations :in the pH of the medium. The effects of Triton X-100 were studied by treating sections with -0.25% solutions in distilled water for 5-60 minutes at 00C and room temperature, rising them with . several changes of cold distilled water to remove the Triton, and then incubating. Tissue blocks or frozen sections of formaldehyde-fixed rat epididymis, rat brain (cerebrum), and the mouse Friend leukemia were incubated and then treated with osmium tetroxide and processed, in the usual manner, for electron microscopy. These experiments, performed by Dr. Edward Essner, will be reported elsewhere. Paraffin sections were made of all tissues except the onion root, tips, following the Aoyama silver method for demonstrating the Golgi apparatus.12
Ultra-Wideband: A tool for teaching undergraduates

This paper describes an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) platform, its capabilities and advantages relative to undergraduate education. To date, UWB has demonstrated its value in commercial applications and as a research tool. This paper proposes that it is also an excellent tool for teaching RF propagation, radar, communications, and range measurement.
Projected incidence of mechanical ventilation in Ontario to 2026: Preparing for the aging baby boomers*

Objective:The aging baby boomers are expected to have a significant impact on the healthcare system. Mechanical ventilation is an age-dependent, costly, and relatively nondiscretionary medical service that may be particularly affected by the aging population. We forecast the future incidence of mechanical ventilation to the year 2026 to understand the impact of aging baby boomers on critical care resources. Design:Population-based, sex-specific, and age-specific mechanical ventilation incidences for adults for the year 2000 were directly standardized to population projections to estimate the incidence of mechanical ventilation, in 5-yr intervals, from 2006 to 2026. Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying population projections and mechanical ventilation incidence for the elderly. Setting:Province of Ontario, Canada. Patients:Noncardiac surgery, mechanically ventilated adults. Interventions:None. Main Results:The projected number of ventilated patients in 2026 was 34,478, representing an 80% increase from 2000. The crude incidence increased 31%, from 222 to 291 per 100,000 adults. The annually compounded projected growth rate during this 26-yr period was 2.3%, similar to the actual growth rate experienced in the 1990s. The projected incidence was relatively insensitive to changes in assumptions, with estimates for 2026 ranging from 31,473 to 36,313 ventilated adults. Conclusions:The incidence of mechanical ventilation projected to the year 2026 will steadily increase and outpace population growth as occurred in the 1990s. In the current environment in which intensive care unit resources are limited and ventilated patients already use a significant proportion of acute care resources, planning for this continued growth is necessary. Existing evidence-based strategies that improve both the efficiency and efficacy of critical care services should be carefully evaluated for widespread implementation.
Design of a flapping-wing aerial vehicle based on four-bar mechanism

Speed, agility, maneuverability, range and efficiency of birds and insects are far beyond the conventional flying mini vehicles. There are various research works to create vehicles that imitate these amazing creatures. In this paper, a wing mechanism is designed for a micro aerial vehicle using four flapping wings. In this system, a four-bar mechanism is preferred as the wing mechanism. In order to obtain flapping motion from rotation of the motor, a crank rocker mechanism is used by connecting the shortest link to the fixed link. Flapping range (swing angle) is determined by obtaining dead-center positions. It is chosen as large as possible since it is related to the lift force. Optimization of transmission angle is made in order to transmit torque from the input link to the output link with a minimum loss. The link length ratio is computed by deciding swing angle and angle between dead center positions. While computing the ratio of lengths of the links, deviation of transmission angle from 90° is attempted to be adjusted to a minimum level. The dimensions of the wings are determined with respect to the lift force. The prototype vehicle has been designed and manufactured with the obtained results.
A design method for controllable topologies of multi-agent networks

For a multi-agent system with each agent having general linear dynamics, necessary and sufficient algebraic conditions are proposed for controllability. Then the difference in algebraic controllability conditions between single-integrator and generic multi-agent systems is pointed out. Based on these conditions and the identified indecisive graph node, a method is finally developed for the design of controllable topologies. The result also indicates the importance of recognition of uncontrollable topology structures.
Effect of Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Purpose:This study aimed to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on peripheral nerve regeneration on the sciatic nerve of rats by using functional, histopathologic, and electrophysiologic analyses. Materials and Methods:Thirty female Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 experimental groups. In group 1 (G1), which was the control group, the sciatic nerve was transected and sutured (n = 10). In group 2 (G2), the sciatic nerve was transected, sutured, and then covered with PRF as a membrane (n = 10). In group 3 (G3), the sciatic nerve was transected, sutured by leaving a 5-mm gap, and then covered by PRF as a nerve guide (n = 10). Functional, histopathologic, and electrophysiologic analyses were performed. Results:The total histopathologic semiquantitative score was significantly higher in G1 compared to G2 and G3 (P < 0.05). Myelin thickness and capillaries were significantly lower in G3 compared to G1 (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to the functional and electrophysiologic results. Conclusion:The study results suggest that PRF decreases functional recovery in sciatic nerve injury. Further studies are required to determine the efficacy of PRF on peripheral nerve regeneration.
Evaluation of combination methods

This paper presents a new approach to evaluate the performances of combination methods, which takes into account both the recognition rates of the experts combined and the correlation among them. At the purpose, a suitable estimator of correlation is defined. Two combination methods have been considered: majority vote and Dempster Shafer. A statistical test, based on the analysis of variance, has also been used to infer some interesting considerations on the behaviour of combination methods. The paper shows how the proposed approach allows the selection of the best combination method for each set of experts.
An image-based method to automatically propagate bony landmarks: application to computational spine biomechanics

In attempts to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of spinal injuries and spinal deformities, several experimental and numerical studies have been conducted to understand the biomechanical behavior of the spine. However, numerical biomechanical studies suffer from uncertainties associated with hard- and soft-tissue anatomies. Currently, these parameters are identified manually on each mesh model prior to simulations. The determination of soft connective tissues on finite element meshes can be a tedious procedure, which limits the number of models used in the numerical studies to a few instances. In order to address these limitations, an image-based method for automatic morphing of soft connective tissues has been proposed. Results showed that the proposed method is capable to accurately determine the spatial locations of predetermined bony landmarks. The present method can be used to automatically generate patient-specific models, which may be helpful in designing studies involving a large number of instances and to understand the mechanical behavior of biomechanical structures across a given population.
CENH3 morphogenesis reveals dynamic centromere associations during synaptonemal complex formation and the progression through male meiosis in hexaploid wheat

Summary During meiosis, centromeres in some species undergo a series of associations, but the processes and progression to homologous pairing is still a matter of debate. Here, we aimed to correlate meiotic centromere dynamics and early telomere behaviour to the progression of synaptonemal complex (SC) construction in hexaploid wheat (2n = 42) by triple immunolabelling of CENH3 protein marking functional centromeres, and SC proteins ASY1 (unpaired lateral elements) and ZYP1 (central elements in synapsed chromosomes). We show that single or multiple centromere associations formed in meiotic interphase undergo a progressive polarization (clustering) at the nuclear periphery in early leptotene, leading to formation of the telomere bouquet. Critically, immunolabelling shows the dynamics of these presynaptic centromere associations and a structural reorganization of the centromeric chromatin coinciding with key events of synapsis initiation from the subtelomeric regions. As short stretches of subtelomeric synapsis emerged at early zygotene, centromere clusters lost their strong polarization, gradually resolving as individual centromeres indicated by more than 21 CENH3 foci associated with unpaired lateral elements. Only following this centromere depolarization were homologous chromosome arms connected, as observed by the alignment and fusion of interstitial ZYP1 loci elongating at zygotene so synapsis at centromeres is a continuation of the interstitial synapsis. Our results thus reveal that centromere associations are a component of the timing and progression of chromosome synapsis, and the gradual release of the individual centromeres from the clusters correlates with the elongation of interstitial synapsis between the corresponding homologues. Significance Statement During meiosis, centromeres in some species undergo a series of associations, but the role of these associations to subsequent chromosome pairing is still debated. Here, we used immunolocalization of centromere and synaptonemal complex proteins to correlate meiotic centromere dynamics and early telomere behaviour to the progression of chromosome pairing in wheat. We found that centromere clusters gradually resolve after subtelomeric synapsis, and that this centromere depolarisation and individualization triggers elongation of interstitial arm synapsis.
Man's Triune Conscious Mind: Part II

The perceptual model described in a 1989 paper and regarded as Part I to the present paper is further specified, illustrated, and discussed especially where understanding will benefit from the conscious submind approach to information processing. Emotion is treated as “emotional perception,” a concept useful for its structuring. An important restriction in the use of awareness in relation to consciousness is pointed out. A mechanism for attention is suggested.
Design of a Wideband Horizontally Polarized Omnidirectional Antenna With Mutual Coupling Method

A wideband horizontally polarized (HP) omnidirectional antenna is proposed in this communication, which consists of 12 printed arc dipole units, a wideband 1-to-12 feed network, 2 rows of parasitic arc strips, and a row of director elements. Based on the tightly coupled dipole array design, 12 printed arc dipoles (about 0.2λL, λL: effective wavelength at low frequency) are formed as a ring with their edge overlap for strong mutual coupling. Meanwhile, the two rows of parasitic arc strips are radially placed around these arc dipoles as an impedance matching layer. Owing to the strong mutual coupling and impedance matching layer, the proposed HP omnidirectional antenna has a wideband operating band. Additionally, a row of director elements is utilized to enhance the radiation in horizontal plane. The printed arc dipoles are fed by a wideband 1-to-12 power divider with identical magnitude and phase. Experimental results show that this antenna has a wide 10-dB return loss operating bandwidth of 70.2% (1.7-3.54 GHz) and good omnidirectionality performance with gain variation in horizontal plane being less than 1.2 dB among 1.7-3.2 GHz.
The Role of Participation in Systems

ABSTRACT The use of participational approaches to system design has been debated for a number of years. In some situations it seems that participational approaches are not a suitable or practical method by which to design an Information System or to analyse a problem. Within this paper we describe a framework in which participation plays an active and effective role and describe a method that was used to effectively design information systems and implement computer security countermeasures.
LIVESTOCK GRAZING MANAGEMENT IMPACTS ON STREAM WATER QUALITY: A REVIEW 1

ABSTRACT: Controlling agricultural nonpoint source pollution from livestock grazing is a necessary step to improving the water quality of the nation's streams. The goal of enhanced stream water quality will most likely result from the implementation of an integrated system of best management practices (BMPs) linked with stream hydraulic and geomorphic characteristics. However, a grazing BMP system is often developed with the concept that BMPs will function independently from interactions among controls, climatic regions, and the multifaceted functions exhibited by streams. This paper examines the peer reviewed literature pertaining to grazing BMPs commonly implemented in the southern humid region of the United States to ascertain effects of BMPs on stream water quality. Results indicate that the most extensive BMP research efforts occurred in the western and midwestern U.S. While numerous studies documented the negative impacts of grazing on stream health, few actually examined the success of BMPs for mitigating these effects. Even fewer studies provided the necessary information to enable the reader to determine the efficacy of a comprehensive systems approach integrating multiple BMPs with pre‐BMP and post‐BMP geomorphic conditions. Perhaps grazing BMP research should begin incorporating geomorphic information about the streams with the goal of achieving sustainable stream water quality.
The Wnt Signaling Pathway in Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy and Norrie Disease

The Wnt signaling pathway is highly conserved among species and has an important role in many cell biological processes throughout the body. This signaling cascade is involved in regulating ocular growth and development, and recent findings indicate that this is particularly true in the retina. Mutations involving different aspects of the Wnt signaling pathway are being linked to several diseases of retinal development. The aim of this article is to first review the Wnt signaling pathway. We will then describe two conditions, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and Norrie disease (ND), which have been shown to be caused in part by defects in the Wnt signaling cascade.
Comparison of derived wind speed from synthetic aperture radar and scatterometer during the ERS tandem phase

A validation of wind retrieval from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images has been performed by comparing wind speed estimated from European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS)-2 SAR with ERS-1 wind scatterometer (WSC) measurements, both using the CMOD-IFR2 algorithm. This was made possible by using data from the open ocean and north of 63/spl deg/ of latitude during the tandem phase of the ERS satellites. Here, the WSC and SAR coverage overlapped with a time difference in the data acquisition of only 30 min. The SAR-derived wind speed values from subimages centred around the WSC wind vectors, agreed to within /spl plusmn/2 m/s but underestimated the WSC wind speed values by approximately 0.4 m/s. Studying the spatial variability of the high resolution wind speed values leads the authors to conclude that the SAR wind field seems useful at least down to a spatial resolution of 500 m, provided that external information on the wind direction is available.