Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A metamaterial-inspired triple band dual polarized monopole antenna

In this paper, a triple-band dual-polarized microstrip-fed monopole antenna using a rectangular complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) and an inverted L-shaped slit (ILS) has been proposed. The CSRR induces an additional lower resonant frequency in the antenna, whereas the ILS etched from the partial ground plane causes another higher frequency resonance. Linearly polarized quasi-monopolar radiation pattern is observed in the two lower frequency bands. The higher frequency band due to the ILS exhibits circularly polarized bi-directional radiation characteristics. The performance of the proposed antenna is validated through HFSS simulations and measurements on fabricated antenna prototype.
Catalase Activity of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 Isolated from Human Large Intestine

Catalase activity of the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 isolated from the human large intestine was studied. The high activity of the enzyme in cell-free extracts of both bacterial strains was determined (1745.21±154.67 and 873.11±72.23 U×mg -1 protein for D. piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9, respectively). The effect of different temperature and pH as well as H 2 O 2 concentration and time of incubation on the catalase activity in the cell-free extracts of D. piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 were examined. The maximum catalase activity for both bacterial strains at +30oC temperature was determined. The highest activity of the studied enzyme in the cell-free extracts of D. piger Vib-7 at pH 7.5 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 at pH 7.0 was measured. Based on experimental data, the analysis of the kinetic properties of the catalase by the studied bacteria was carried out. Increasing of hydrogen peroxide concentrations from 0.5 to 5.0 mM causes a monotonic rise of studied enzyme activity and the activity was maintained on an unchanged level (plateau) under substrate concentrations over 5.0 mM. The catalase activity, initial (instantaneous) reaction rate (V 0 ) and maximum rate of the catalase reaction (V max ) were significantly higher in D. piger Vib-7 than in Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 cells. Michaelis constants (K m ) of the catalase reaction were 8.01±0.77 and 10.33±0.98 mM for D. piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/mh.v3i1. 19776 Microbes and Health, June 2014. 3(1): 15-20
Contractile Function of the Human Myocardium: Impact of Troponin Phosphorylation

Αlpha‐adrenergic receptor activated protein kinase C α (PKCα) is able to modify cardiac contractile function via phosphorylation of several myofilament proteins and is implicated in heart failure. This study aimed to determine the specific effects of PKCα‐mediated phosphorylation of human cardiac troponin (cTn) on myofilament function in human failing cardiomyocytes. Endogenous cTn in permeabilized cardiomyocytes from patients with end‐ stage idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy was partially exchanged (~69%) with PKCα‐treated recombinant human cTn (cTn(DD + PKCα)). In this complex, the protein kinase A (PKA) sites Ser23/24 on cTnI are mutated into aspartic acids (D) to rule out in vitro cross‐phosphorylation of these sites by PKCα. Cardiomyocytes in which endogenous cTn was exchanged with cTn(DD) served as controls. Isometric force was measured at various [Ca] after exchange. Exchange of endogenous cTn with cTn(DD + PKCα) increased Ca‐sensitivity of force (pCa50=5.59±0.02) in comparison with exchange using cTn(DD) (pCa50=5.51±0.02). In contrast, subsequent incubation of the cells exchanged with cTn(DD + PKCα) with PKCα reduced pCa50 to 5.45±0.02. The maximal force generating capacity (Fmax) in the cTn(DD + PKCα) group (17.1±1.9 kN/m ) was significantly reduced in comparison with the cTn(DD) group (26.1±1.9 kN/m). Subsequent incubation of the exchanged cells with PKCα did not restore Fmax. Western blot analysis of cTn incubated with PKCα revealed phosphorylation at known PKC sites on cTnI, Ser42 and Thr143. Furthermore, two novel phosphorylation sites were identified using mass spectrometry: Ser199 on cTnI and Ser179 on cTnT. In conclusion, specific PKCα‐mediated phosphorylation of cTn increases myofilament Ca‐sensitivity and decreases maximal force. In addition, subsequent incubation of the exchanged cardiomyocytes with PKCα decreased Ca‐sensitivity, but did not alter maximal force. Phosphorylation at the newly identified PKC sites in human troponin may contribute to the intricate effects of PKCα on myofilament function. PKCα-MEDIATED PHOSPHORYLATION OF CTN 45
Design issues and considerations for low-cost 3D TSV IC technology

3D TSV (through silicon via) technologies promise increased system integration at lower cost and reduced footprint [1]. Different variants of 3D technologies have recently been introduced in application areas such as DRAM stacking [2], imagers [3][4], SSDs (Solid-StateDrives) [5]. In this paper we investigate the design issues and solutions of a low cost 3D TSV Stacked-IC technology. This technology offers a 10 µm TSV pitch that enables applications such as logic-on-logic, DRAM-on-logic and RF-on-logic. We present experimental data on key issues such as impact of TSV on MOS devices and back-end-of-line (BEOL), reliability, thermal hot spots, ESD, signal integrity and circuit performance. Furthermore, we point out where changes in current design practices are required to realize the low-cost potential of the technology.
Changes in hospital case management through the years.

"Going Forward: What Is Case Management? ," a recent HeartBeat of Case Management column in this journal, set off a wave of positive comments to the author. Hospital case management has been at the forefront of many of the changes in the past several decades. Even today, these changes should be reevaluated to enhance what is best for the patient, the business of health care, quality, and evidence-based care.
MESSAGE NORMALIZATION : MODELING ABBREVIATION GENERATION

This paper describes a text normalization system for deletion-based abbreviations in informal text. We propose using statistical classifiers to learn the probability of deleting a given character using features based on character context, position in the word and containing syllable, and function within the word. To ensure that our system is robust to different and previously unseen abbreviations for a word, we generate multiple abbreviation hypotheses for a word using the predictions from the classifiers. We then reverse the mappings to enable recovery of English words from the abbreviations. Different knowledge sources are used to disambiguate word candidates: abbreviation likelihood, length, and language model scores. Our results show that this approach is feasible and warrants further exploration in the future.
Efficient Recovery Algorithm for Discrete Valued Sparse Signals Using an ADMM Approach

Motivated by applications in wireless communications, in this paper we propose a reconstruction algorithm for sparse signals whose values are taken from a discrete set, using a limited number of noisy observations. Unlike conventional compressed sensing algorithms, the proposed approach incorporates knowledge of the discrete valued nature of the signal in the detection process. This is accomplished through the alternating direction method of the multipliers which is applied as a heuristic to decompose the associated maximum likelihood detection problem in order to find candidate solutions with a low computational complexity order. Numerical results in different scenarios show that the proposed algorithm is capable of achieving very competitive recovery error rates when compared with other existing suboptimal approaches.
Effect of a 6-week strengthening program on shoulder and scapular-stabilizer strength and scapular kinematics in division I collegiate swimmers.

CONTEXT Shoulder injuries are common in swimmers because of the demands of the sport. Muscle imbalances frequently exist due to the biomechanics of the sport, which predispose swimmers to injury. To date, an effective shoulder-injury-prevention program for competitive swimmers has not been established. OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of a 6-wk strengthening and stretching intervention program on improving glenohumeral and scapular muscle strength and scapular kinematics in collegiate swimmers. DESIGN Randomized control trial. SETTING University biomechanics research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Forty-four Division I collegiate swimmers. INTERVENTIONS The intervention program was completed 3 times per week for 6 wk. The program included strengthening exercises completed using resistance tubing-scapular retraction (Ts), scapular retraction with upward rotation (Ys), scapular retraction with downward rotation (Ws), shoulder flexion, low rows, throwing acceleration and deceleration, scapular punches, shoulder internal rotation at 90° abduction, and external rotation at 90° abduction-and 2 stretching exercises: corner stretch and sleeper stretch. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Scapular kinematics and glenohumeral and scapular muscle strength assessed preintervention and postintervention. RESULTS There were no significant between-groups differences in strength variables at pre/post tests, although shoulder-extension and internal-rotation strength significantly increased in all subjects regardless of group assignment. Scapular kinematic data revealed increased scapular internal rotation, protraction, and elevation in all subjects at posttesting but no significant effect of group on the individual kinematic variables. CONCLUSIONS The current strengthening and stretching program was not effective in altering strength and scapular kinematic variables but may serve as a framework for future programs. Adding more stretching exercises, eliminating exercises that overlap with weight-room training and swim training, and timing of implementation may yield a more beneficial program for collegiate swimmers.
Intelligent Synthesis and Real-time Response using Massive Streaming of Heterogeneous Data View project

Boolean matrix factorization (BMF) is a popular and powerful technique for inferring knowledge from data. The mining result is the Boolean product of two matrices, approximating the input dataset. The Boolean product is a disjunction of rank-1 binary matrices, each describing a feature-relation, called pattern, for a group of samples. Yet, there are no guarantees that any of the returned patterns do not actually arise from noise, i.e., are false discoveries. In this paper, we propose and discuss the usage of the false discovery rate in the unsupervised BMF setting. We prove two bounds on the probability that a found pattern is constituted of random Bernoulli-distributed noise. Each bound exploits a specific property of the factorization which minimizes the approximation error—yielding new insights on the minimizers of Boolean matrix factorization. This leads to improved BMF algorithms by replacing heuristic rank selection techniques with a theoretically well-based approach. Our empirical demonstration shows that both bounds deliver excellent results in various practical settings.
Nucleotide excision repair, a tracking mechanism in search of damage.

Nucleotide excision repair (NER)l in all organisms, is able to accommodate to virtually any kind of DNA damage unlike many repair systems whose specificity is limited to a single species of damage. As a consequence NER has the advantage of being effective in responding to new types of environmental agents able to damage DNA. The model repair system under extensive study is the Escherichia coli uvr system consisting of at least 6 structural genes (uurA, uvrB, uvrC, uurD, polA, and lig) and 2 regulatory genes (recA and EexA) that control excision repair; these have been cloned, mapped, and sequenced and their gene products amplified and purified to homogeneity Cyeung et al., 1983,1986a, 1986b; Sancar and Sancar, 1988; Van Houten, 1990). The availability of reagent quantities of these proteins has been instrumental in the biochemical reconstitution of the partial and overall NER enzymatic reactions.
Scalar potentials and vector functions for the high-order modelling of singular wedge current

The interest in incorporating edge conditions in method of moment (MoM) solutions dates back to the mid seventies of the last century, with more recent contributions in [1]-[4]. In particular, singular higher-order complete vector bases of the divergence-conforming kind have been presented in [3] and, in the following, we assume the reader to be comfortable with the definitions and the element representation given in [3, 5]. By using the same notation of [3], this paper presents a method that defines singular divergence-conforming vector basis functions in terms of potentials. Although this method is alluded in [3], it is not fully discussed there. The results reported below will permit one to appreciate the properties of the new singular divergence-conforming bases that we will present in a different future paper; these properties will turn out to be more satisfactory than those of the bases discussed here, or of the bases given in [3]. Another important purpose of this paper is to generalize to the (curved) edge-singularity elements that mesh a wedge structure in the vicinity of its edge the Meixner [6, 7] and the Motz-like approximations [8, 4]. This extension serves to clarify the numerical approximation inherent to the use of singular divergence-conforming bases. As said in [3], our singular bases contain as a subset the regular bases given in [5] as well as (at least) another Meixner subset that contains singular terms that model the singular and the nonsingular irrational algebraic terms of the Meixner or Motz-like series. For the sake of brevity, we discuss only the vector functions of the lowest-order Meixner subset. Extension to higher-order is possible by using the technique given in [3].
The Requirements for Semantic Annotation of Cultural Heritage Content

This paper focuses on the semantic annotation of textual content and on annotation requirements that emerge from the needs of cultural heritage annotation projects. The requirements presented here are based on two text annotation case studies at the National Library of Latvia and were generalised to be applicable to a wider range of annotation projects. This paper describes the requirements collected and how they may be implemented in practical applications. We propose a model for representing annotation data and implementing annotation systems. In particular, the model introduces a separate entity database that maintains information about the entities referenced from annotations and can point to additional information about these entities such as Linked Open Data resources. The result of this work is the annotation model and a collection of requirements that can be applied in different configurations depending on particular use cases and can provide a basis for developing and improving annotation tools.
EVALUATION OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION OF SIMVASTATIN ON HEIGHT AND WIDTH OF THE HEALING EXTRACTION SOCKET IN RAT MANDIBLE

INTRODUCTION: studies concerning healing of extraction sockets revealed that sockets were filled with new bone by as much as two thirds in 40 days and completely filled with new bone in 10 weeks. There have been many studies demonstrating the bone-promoting effect of simvastatin local application in animal models. Simvastatin was shown to increase bone volume, bone formation rate, and bone compressive strength. The use of statins for bone regeneration is a promising and growing area of research. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare between the amounts of resorption that occurs in the healing extraction socket left to heal spontaneously to the amount of resorption that occurs in the healing extraction socket filled with simvastatin gel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Right and left first molars were extracted from 20 rats’ mandibles’. Right side extraction sockets (Experimental) were filled with 2.5% simvastatin gel, while the left side sockets (Controls) were allowed to heal spontaneously. The rats were humanely sacrificed at 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th week postoperatively, and the specimens’ height and width were measured using a bone caliper. RESULTS: The mid-buccal height as well as the buccolingual width of the alveolar bone on the simvastatin-treated side was relatively higher and thicker than the control side indicating that less resorption had occurred on that side. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided evidence that a single topical application of 2.5% simvastatin gel improve the quality of the new bone of the healing extraction socket and decreases bone resorption.
Regulation of DNA methylation by the Ras signaling pathway

We demonstrate that DNA methylation in an adrenocortical tumor cell line, Y1, is controlled by the Ras signaling pathway. Forced expression of a cDNA encoding human GAP120 (hGAP), a down-modulator of Ras activity or delta 9-Jun a transdominant negative mutant of Jun, in Y1 cells reverts the transformed morphology of the cells and results in a reduction in the level of DNA methylation, DNA methyltransferase (MeTase) mRNA, and enzymatic activity. Introduction of an oncogenic Ha- ras into the GAP transfectants results in reversion to a transformed morphology and an increase in the levels of DNA methylation and DNA MeTase activity. Transient transfection CAT assays demonstrate that the expression of DNA MeTase promoter in Y1 cells is regulated by Ras and AP-1. These results establish a molecular link between a major signaling pathway involved in tumorigenesis and DNA methylation.
An X-band internally-matched GaN HEMT amplifier with compact quasi-lumped-element harmonic-terminating network

A compact quasi-lumped-element resonator is proposed as a harmonic-terminating network for internally-matched amplifiers. It is a parallel connection of an inter-digital capacitor and a transmission line, and its compactness is suitable for packaged internally-matched FET amplifiers. An X-band internally-matched GaN HEMT amplifier has been fabricated, in which the proposed harmonic-terminating network is used at the input of the HEMT for realizing an optimum 2nd-harmonic input impedance seen from the HEMT to maximize power-added efficiency (PAE). In measurements, PAE of 50 % with output power of more than 18 W has been obtained in a moderate bandwidth of 10 %.
First international workshop on software research and climate change

This workshop will explore the contributions that software research can make to the challenge of climate change. Software is a critical enabling technology in nearly all aspects of climate change, from the computational models used by climate scientists to improve our understanding of the impact of human activities on earth systems, through to the information and control systems needed to build an effective carbon-neutral society. The intent of the workshop is to explore how software research can contribute to this challenge, to build a community of researchers interested in responding to the challenge, and to map out a research agenda.
A Psycho-Economic Model of Ecstasy Consumption and Related Consequences: A Multi-Site Study With Community Samples

theory of rational behavior suggests that economic factors play an influential role in the decision leading to drug consumption and possibly dependence. Psychological models, on the other hand, emphasize internal regulatory cues that motivate drug use and play a contributory role in dependence. Until now, the confluence of both economic and psychological models has not been tested empirically. The present study used latent-variable structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the influence of both economic (social anomie, unit price, and time spent acquiring drugs) and psychological risk factors (motivation, depression, and sexual risk behaviors) on self-reported ecstasy use. Data were obtained from 612 recreational ecstasy users in the United States and Australia participating in a NIDA-funded epidemiological study examining trends in ecstasy use. The sample was mainly white (61%), male (58%), and young (mean age = 23yrs [5.25]). All of the hypothesized latent constructs were statistically reliable and correlated in the expected direction. A saturated SEM indicated that monetary and opportunity cost, but not income, significantly predicted ecstasy use. Among the psychological measures, motivational cues were the strongest predictor of both use and dependence. Inclusion of gender, age, race, education, and site variables did not appreciably alter the final model parameters. The implications of incorporating the role of economic factors in shaping a more refined understanding of addiction are discussed. Suggestions for future research and study limitations are also noted.
Utility of testing sperm DNA fragmentation: an all-in-one diagnostic tool to address a multi-pronged clinical problem

In a comprehensive clinical overview, Agarwal et al. (1) nicely put in perspective (I) various laboratory techniques used for testing sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), a commonly encountered aberration in the sub-fertile/infertile male, (II) underscore the importance of careful assessment of this parameter in the context of several clinical scenarios of reproductive failure, and (III) recommend the utility of these techniques in identifying the underlying cause with emphasis on its particular relevance to clinical varicoceles in men.
Evaluation of antibiotic use in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a developing country

Background: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) patients are often prescribed antibiotics with a low threshold in comparison to patients elsewhere. Irrational antibiotics use can lead to rapid emergence of drug resistance, so surveillance of their use is important. Objectives: To evaluate the use of antibiotics in relation to bacteriological findings in PICU of a Tertiary Hospital. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of all children (age 1 month–16 years) admitted in our closed multidisciplinary-cardiothoracic PICU from January to June 2013 was performed, after approval from Ethical Review Committee. For each antibiotic, indication (prophylactic, empiric, therapeutic) and duration of use were recorded. All diagnoses of infections were recorded according to diagnostic criteria of IPSCC 2005. Results are presented as frequency and percentages and median with inter quartile range using SPSS version 19. Results: All of the total 240 patients admitted in PICU during the study period received antibiotics: 43% (n = 104) prophylactically, 42% (n = 102) empirically, and 15% (n = 15) therapeutically. Median number of antibiotic use per patient in PICU was 3, with range of 1–7. 25% received 1 antibiotic, 23% received 2 antibiotics, 29% received 3 antibiotics, and rest received ≥4 antibiotics. Most commonly used antibiotics were cefazolin, meropenem, vancomycin and ceftriaxone, and most frequently used combination was meropenem and vancomycin. In majority of the cases, (70%) empiric antibiotic combinations were stopped in 72 h. Conclusion: This is the first report of antibiotics use in PICU from our country, which shows that antibiotics are prescribed universally in our PICU. Strategies to assess the need for antibiotic use are needed.