Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of non-uniformly spaced planar array geometry using Differential Evolution algorithm

In this paper, non-uniformly spaced planar antenna arrays (NUSPAA) of different geometry with uniform excitation is considered for minimization of maximum side lobe level (SLL). Configuring different planar array geometries only by switching off some elements from the basic rectangular array, the inter-element positions of the remaining elements are optimized using Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm. The proposed method can effectively reduce the number of antenna elements with reduction in SLL using the simple feed network of uniformly excited antenna array (UEAA). The MATLAB™ simulated result of optimized SLL considering different geometries of a 17 × 17 array is presented and compared to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The endocannabinoid system and the molecular basis of paralytic ileus in mice

The endocannabinoid system (i.e., the cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands) plays an important role in the physiological control of intestinal motility. However, its participation in intestinal pathological states is still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the possible role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of paralytic ileus, a pathological state consisting of decreased intestinal motility following peritonitis, surgery, or other noxious situations. Ileus was induced by i.p. administration of acetic acid, and gastrointestinal propulsion was assessed by the charcoal method. Endocannabinoid levels were measured by isotope‐dilution gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, whereas cannabinoid CB1 receptors were identified by immunohistochemistry. Acetic acid administration inhibited gastrointestinal transit (ileus), and this effect was accompanied by increased levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide compared with control mice and by overexpression of CB1 receptors in myenteric nerves. Furthermore, acetic acid‐induced ileus was alleviated by the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A and worsened by VDM11, a selective inhibitor of anandamide cellular uptake (and hence inactivation). From these findings, it can be concluded that the intestinal hypomotility typical of paralytic ileus is due, at least in part, to the enhancement of anandamide levels and CB1 expression during this condition, and that selective, nonpsychotropic CB1 receptor antagonists could represent new drugs to treat this disorder.
When confronted by a patient with the radiologically isolated syndrome

As MRI becomes ever easier to access, it is clear that there is a group of patients, scanned for a wide range of symptoms, where the imaging looks inflammatory, despite the discordance with the clinical presentation. This is the so-called radiologically isolated syndrome, which can be a source of anxiety and difficulty for both patient and clinician. The evidence for its relationship to the clinically isolated syndrome and therefore to multiple sclerosis is presented, and I will describe a pragmatic approach to managing the situation.
Constant time imaging approaches to NMR microscopy

The resolution in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microscopy is limited by a combination of the inherent low sensitivity of NMR, the destruction of spin magnetization gratings by molecular diffusion, and variations in the local magnetic field strength introduced by spatial variations of the bulk susceptibility. While none of these may be completely overcome, constant time imaging methods are the optimal approach to recording images when the above factors are important. This method aims to instantaneously create a spin magnetization grating and then to efficiently sample the spatially invariant portion of this—corresponding to a selected Fourier component of the sample distribution. The method is introduced, analyzed in the presence of molecular diffusion, and demonstrated to yield high‐resolution images. To implement the method, a microscopy probe was constructed for a standard‐bore 400‐MHz NMR spectrometer (the latter was also implemented at 600 MHz), which is described. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 8, 263–276, 1997
Irish clinical and counselling psychologists' experiences and views of mandatory personal therapy during training: A polarisation of ethical concerns.

Although there have been some recent changes in Ireland, the practice of mandating personal therapy during training has traditionally differed between counselling and clinical psychologists. Irish psychologists (n = 258: 170 clinical, 88 counselling) took part in a survey study of experiences and views regarding this practice. Counselling psychologists reported higher rates of lifetime and current attendance at personal therapy compared to clinical psychologists, and nearly all had experienced mandated personal therapy compared to a minority of the clinical group. However, the clinical psychologists had a high rate of attendance at personal therapy compared to that reported for their British peers, indicating a high regard for personal therapy amongst Irish clinicians despite the absence of a training mandate. Five factors were found to be independent predictors of agreement with mandating personal therapy during training-lifetime experience of personal therapy, being a counselling psychologist, experience of mandated therapy, being more recently qualified, and longer attendance at personal therapy. Thematic analysis of the psychologists' open responses regarding mandated therapy indicated that the majority believed that personal therapy was an important part of ethical, effective practice, and valuable in enhancing self-awareness and learning from the client experience. Ethical concerns about a mandate were polarised between the two psychology specialisms, more counselling psychologists emphasising the dangers and questionable efficacy of psychologists practising psychotherapy without personal therapy experience, and more clinical psychologists questioning the efficacy and ethics of imposing a mandate on trainees. Recommendations are made regarding this issue for trainers of both specialisms.
Aripiprazole in the treatment of the psychosis prodrome: an open-label pilot study.

BACKGROUND Research studies for the treatment of the putative prodromal phase of psychotic disorders have begun to appear. AIMS To obtain preliminary evidence of the short-term efficacy and safety of aripiprazole treatment in people with the psychosis prodrome. METHOD Fifteen participants meeting prodrome criteria (mean age 17.1 years, s.d.=5.5) enrolled in an open-label, single-site trial with fixed-flexible dosing of aripiprazole (5-30 mg/day) for 8 weeks. RESULTS In the mixed-effects repeated-measures analysis, improvement from baseline on the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms total score was statistically significant by the first week. No participant converted to psychosis and 13 completed treatment. Neuropsychological measures showed no consistent improvement; mean weight gain was 1.2 kg. Akathisia emerged in 8 participants, but the mean Barnes Akathisia Scale score fell to baseline levels by the final visit. Adverse events were otherwise minimal. CONCLUSIONS Aripiprazole shows a promising efficacy and safety profile for the psychosis prodrome. Placebo-controlled studies are indicated.
Conformational variation in structures of classical and non‐classical MHCII proteins and functional implications

Recent structural characterizations of classical and non‐classical major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) proteins have provided a view into the dynamic nature of the MHCII–peptide binding groove and the role that structural changes play in peptide loading processes. Although there have been numerous reports of crystal structures for MHCII–peptide complexes, a detailed analysis comparing all the structures has not been reported, and subtle conformational variations present in these structures may not have been fully appreciated. We compared the 91 MHCII crystal structures reported in the PDB to date, including an HLA‐DR mutant particularly susceptible to DM‐mediated peptide exchange, and reviewed experimental and computational studies of the effect of peptide binding on MHCII structure. These studies provide evidence for conformational lability in and around the α‐subunit 3‐10 helix at residues α48‐51, a region known to be critical for HLA‐DM‐mediated peptide exchange. A biophysical study of MHC–peptide hydrogen bond strengths and a recent structure of the non‐classical MHCII protein HLA‐DO reveal changes in the same region. Conformational variability was observed also in the vicinity of a kink in the β‐subunit helical region near residue β66 and in the orientation and loop conformation in the β2 Ig domain. Here, we provide an overview of the regions within classical and non‐classical MHCII proteins that display conformational changes and the potential role that these changes may have in the peptide loading/exchange process.
Ground moving target indication for MIMO-SAR

The multi-input multi-output synthetic aperture radar (MIMO-SAR) is an innovative concept, which can bring high degrees of freedom for SAR system with limited transmitting/ receiving (T/R) elements. In this paper, ground moving target indication (GMTI) for MIMO-SAR is studied based on reasonable usage of the space-time equivalent samplings. Furthermore, this paper gives a deep insight of the azimuth “spurious peaks” effect, caused by the periodically modulated error signal due to the radial velocity of moving target. Also, the compensation method is given to suppress the unwanted “spurious peaks”. Finally, the numerical experiments are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the MIMO-SAR GMTI.
[Eight-Plate Guided Growth Treatment for Angular Deformities and Length Discrepancies of the Lower Limbs in Children. Our First Experience].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of this paper is to present our first experience with and the results of treating angular deformities and length discrepancies of the lower limbs in children and adolescents using the Eight-plate system, and to compare our results with the literature data. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 22 patients underwent surgery for the correction of angular deformities or length discrepancies of the lower limbs in 2014. Using Eight-plates, temporary medial hemiepiphysiodesis was carried out in 13 patients with the diagnosis of genu valgum (group 1). In nine patients (group 2) the Eight-plate was used to correct milder forms of leg length discrepancy by epiphysiodesis involving the distal femur only or also the proximal tibia. The Eight-plate system consists of a plate with two or more holes and two screws. Under X-ray image intensifier guidance, the plate was inserted above the physis of the long bone through a minimally invasive approach. Pre-operative long-standing radiographs of the lower extremities were measured. Post-operatively, radiographic assessments and clinical examinations were done at 3-month intervals to monitor the effects of therapy. RESULTS In group 1, the average pre-operative intermalleolar distance (IMD) measured on standing radiographs was 15.2 cm. The average lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) of 82° before surgery increased to 90° and the average pre-operative medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) of 95° decreased to 88° at the time of plate removal. In all group 1 patients the therapy was completed successfully at an average of 9.2 months. The mean values of changes recorded at 3-month intervals of followup were 2.1° (± 0.9°) for LDFA and 1.5° (± 0.6°) for MPTA. The therapy in group 2 (average leg length inequality, 2.1 cm) was finished and evaluated in seven patients; in two patients it remained to be completed. The average Eight-plate guided growth treatment was 12.7 months, and the average reduction in leg-length discrepancy recorded at 3-month intervals was 4.9 mm. There were no complications. DISCUSSION All our results so far obtained are in agreement with those of the authors pursuing this topic for a longer time. Compared to the currently used Blount's staples, the Eight-plate is a growth-plate sparring method which avoids damaging the growing physis and is thus suitable for use in children under 10 years of age. It is also associated with a fewer number of complications. CONCLUSIONS Our first results, although based on a short follow-up, clearly show that the Eight-plate guided growth method has several advantages; it is a great contribution to surgery and brings new options particularly for the correction of angular deformities in patients under 10 years.
Estimating the Fire Interval Distribution for Los Angeles County, California using Spatial-Temporal Fire History Data

In this paper a new method is described for estimating the ﬁre interval distribution of a region using spatial-temporal ﬁre history data. In Los Angeles County, California, detailed information on ﬁres has been available through the use of geographic information systems (GIS) technology. The proposed estimator is applied to GIS data covering the years 1878–1996 and it is shown that fuel age appears to have a nonlinear threshold-type relationship with burn area. The estimator is shown to be more stable than previous estimators and to have good ﬁnite and large sample properties.
Mapping out the quasicondensate transition through the dimensional crossover from one to three dimensions

By measuring the density fluctuations in a highly elongated weakly interacting Bose gas, we observe and quantify the transition from the ideal gas to a quasicondensate regime throughout the dimensional crossover from a purely one-dimensional (1D) to an almost three-dimensional (3D) gas. We show that that the entire transition region and the dimensional crossover are described surprisingly well by the modified Yang-Yang model. Furthermore, we find that at low temperatures the linear density at the quasicondensate transition scales according to an interaction-driven scenario of a longitudinally uniform 1D Bose gas, whereas at high temperatures it scales according to the degeneracy-driven critical scenario of transverse condensation of a 3D ideal gas.
Patient-controlled perineural analgesia after ambulatory orthopedic surgery: a comparison of electronic versus elastomeric pumps.

P ostoperative pain is a major challenge in the practice of anesthesia for ambulatory orthopedic surgery (1–3). Despite the use of long-acting local anesthesia in peripheral nerve blocks (PNB), 11% of patients report wound pain during the first 24 or 48 postoperative hours, and 17% to 22% of patients require opioid analgesics 7 days after surgery (1,4). Pain is a common reason for delayed discharge (5) and unanticipated hospital readmission. Orthopedic patients are the largest group who undergo PNB (6). PNB provide excellent anesthesia but also optimize postoperative analgesia, decrease hospital stay, and reduce the rate of unanticipated hospital readmission and probably health care costs as well (7,8). Recently, bolus injection (9), continuous infusion (10,11), and patient-controlled perineural administration (PCPA) (12–15) of local anesthetics at home after ambulatory orthopedic surgery have been described. Prospective studies will be required to compare efficacy and evaluate adverse events related to PCPA devices. This prospective, randomized study compared the efficacy of three pumps that are different in their deployment, adjustments, and ergonomics, available for postoperative analgesia.
Interacting Head Mechanism of Microtubule-Kinesin ATPase*

Kinetic and equilibrium properties are compared for a monomeric kinesin construct (K332) and a dimeric construct (K379). MtK379 has a low affinity (5 × 104 M−1) and a high affinity (5 × 106 M−1) binding site for mant ADP while MtK332 has a single low affinity site (5 × 104 M−1). Rate constants of dissociation of mant ADP are <1 s−1 for the high affinity site and 75-100 s−1 for the low affinity site for MtK379. For MtK332, the effective rate constant is 200-300 s−1. It is proposed that the two heads of the dimer are different through the interaction with the microtubule, a strongly bound head with low affinity for 2′-(3′)-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl) adenosine 5′-diphosphate (mant ADP), similar to the single strongly bound head of the monomer and a weakly bound or detached head with high affinity for mant ADP. Rate of binding of mant ADP gave an “S“-shaped dependence on concentration for MtK379 and a hyperbolic dependence for MtK332. Binding of K379·mant ADP dimer to microtubules releases only one mant ADP at a rate of 50 s−1. The second strongly bound mant ADP is released by binding of nucleotides to the other head. Rates are 100 s−1 for ATP, 30 s−1 for AMPPNP or ATPγS, and 2 s−1 for ADP. The rate of binding of mant ATP to MtK379 showed an “S“-shaped concentration dependence and limiting rate at zero concentration is <1 s−1 while MtK332 gave a hyperbolic dependence and limiting rate of 100 s−1. The limiting rate is determined by the rate of dissociation of mant ADP in the hydrolysis cycle. The evidence is consistent with an interacting site model in which binding of ATP to one head is required for release of ADP from the other head in the hydrolysis cycle. This model, in which the cycles are maintained partly out of phase, is an extension of the alternating site model of Hackney (Hackney, D. D. (1994) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 6865-6869). It provides a basis for a processive mechanism.
Glycemic control status in patients with type-2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To assess the status of glycaemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in NWFP, Pakistan. DESIGN Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Medical Out-patient Department (OPD), Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar and a private clinic of physician from January 2003 to December 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred and ten patients with type-2 diabetes were included in the study. The glycemic control of these patients was determined by estimation of blood glucose (fasting and random) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The patients were grouped in three categories, the 1st one having good glycaemic control, the 2nd having fair (acceptable) glycaemic control and the 3rd group having poor diabetic control with their HbA1c values being 6%-7%, 7.1%-8.2% and >8.2% respectively. Statistical analysis of the results was made by application of Pearson's chi-square test and student's t-test. RESULTS Around half, 51.43%, of the patients had poor control of diabetes, with mean HbA1c of 10.183 +/- 1.73 SD (standard deviation) and were placed in category 3. Good control of diabetes accounted for 31.43% of our patients having mean HbA1c of 6.64 +/- 0.27 SD and were placed in category-1. The rest, 17.14%, were placed in fair control category having mean HbA1c value of 7.68 +/- 0.44 SD. CONCLUSION Majority of our patients with type-2 diabetes are having poor control of their glycaemic status.
Measuring the performance of public health agencies

Performance measurement is a first step towards quality improvement in health care. When systems are in place to measure performance we can reward good performance, develop and evaluate ways of improving performance, and certify (or decertify) providers who perform (or don't perform) according to established standards. In the United States an extensive machinery has emerged to measure and ensure performance, but so far it has not been applied systematically to public health agencies. That situation is about to change, and, as it does, it opens up the interesting possibility of holding elected politicians even more accountable for decisions that affect health. Efforts to measure the performance of healthcare providers in the US have expanded rapidly over recent years. Much of this activity has been driven by the main purchasers of health care—large employers and government.1 The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accredits 18 000 facilities in the US, including hospitals, home care agencies, long term care facilities, and clinical laboratories, allowing them to participate in the federal Medicare programme for the elderly.2 The performance of health maintenance organisations is assessed through “report cards”—especially the health plan employer data and information set3—and through accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.4Doctors …
A transverse flux permanent magnet linear generator for hybrid electric vehicles

This paper presents a transverse flux permanent magnet (TFPM) linear generator for the free-piston generation application, which not only possessing the merits of the existing TFPM machine, but also providing a simple structure which is essential for power generation with maintenance-free operation. Also, the machine configuration is optimized such that the induced voltage is maximized while the cogging force is minimized. Hence, a 2-phase linear TFPM is resulted, which is well supported by performance analysis.
Multi-Frequency Rectangular Spiral Slot Antenna for WLAN and X-Band Applications

A new design of multi-frequency antenna was presented. Rectangular spiral slot antenna was designed on the RT/Duroid 5880 substrate with 2.2 of dielectric constant and 1.575 mm of thickness. The antenna was proposed with information of designing and matching improvement. The characteristics of the proposed antenna were determined by FDTD method. Some matching techniques were used, in order to obtain the multi-frequency rectangular spiral slot antenna supporting IEEE 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) and X-band communications
Negative Regulation of HER2 Signaling by the PEST-type Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase BDP1*

Signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) mediates a variety of complex cellular functions and in case of deregulation can contribute to pathophysiological processes. A tight and finely tuned control of RTK activity is therefore critical for the cell. We investigated the role of the PEST-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase BDP1 in the regulation of HER2, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of RTKs. Here we demonstrate that HER2 signaling is highly sensitive to BDP1 activity. Overexpression of BDP1 inhibited ligand-induced activation of HER2 but not that of the closely related EGFR. On the other hand, suppression of endogenous BDP1 expression increased the phosphorylation state of HER2. In addition, BDP1 was able to interfere with downstream signaling events by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Gab1 and reducing mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Supported by the finding that BDP1 is coexpressed with HER2 in breast cancer cells, we suggest that BDP1 is an important regulator of HER2 activity and thus the first protein-tyrosine phosphatase shown to be involved in HER2 signal attenuation.
[Phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics. A comparative study of erythromycin versus clarithromycin].

BACKGROUND To know and to compare the incidence of phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics erythromycin and clarithromycin. PATIENTS AND METHOD Non-randomized prospective study of consecutive patients who were diagnosed of community pneumonia and treated with intravenous macrolides (19 with erythromycin and 25 with clarithromycin). RESULTS The cumulative incidence of phlebitis in patients treated with erythromycin was 78.9% (incidence rate of 0.40 episodes/patient-day) and in those treated with clarithromycin 76% (incidence rate of 0.35 episodes/patient-day). CONCLUSIONS The risk of phlebitis is high and similar with intravenous administration of both macrolides.