Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of absorptive microwave filters using allpass networks in a parallel-cascade configuration

A new approach to designing absorptive microwave filters using allpass networks in a parallel-cascade configuration is presented. A signal is divided into two paths, each comprised of a number of cascaded allpass networks. The two signals are then recombined, and frequency selectivity results from phase cancellation. It is shown that this approach is especially useful for dissipative loss compensation. A general method for designing the microwave allpass networks is given. Bandpass and bandstop microstrip prototypes were designed, built, and tested.
Amitriptyline inhibits the activity of the rat glutamate transporter EAAT3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Objectives Evidence suggests that glutamatergic systems may be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression and the mechanism of action of antidepressants. We have investigated the effects of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, on the activity of the excitatory amino acid transporter type 3 (EAAT3), a protein that can regulate extracellular glutamate concentrations in the brain.
Mapping of the gene for interferon‐inducible dsRNA‐dependent protein kinase to chromosome region 2p21‐22: A site of rearrangements in myeloproliferative disorders

Recent evidence suggests that the human interferon‐inducible double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase may function as a tumor suppressor. Here we describe the mapping of the gene for this kinase to chromosome region 2p21‐22 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. A combined analysis of cytogenetic data from a series of 341 patients with hematologic disorders that exhibited cytogenetic abnormalities and from published reports indicates that abnormalities involving 2p21‐22 occur nonrandomly and are observed among patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, raising the possibility of a role for this protein kinase in leukemogenesis. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occupational Therapy in Autism

Autism, a developmental disability, is defined by behavioural characteristics. Primary features of autism are described as problems in language skills, plays and social interaction [1]. It is considered a spectrum disorder, as the abilities of children with autism may very greatly from one child to another [2]. Symptoms begin during early childhood and distinctive incompetence and limited, repetitive behaviours are seen in socio-communicative field. In addition to these primary features, individuals with autism generally have sensory processing and sensory integration dysfunction, which affect adaptive behaviour and participating daily activities. Many children with autism are unable to register many of the sensations from their environ‐ ment. They cannot integrate those sensations to form a clear perception of space. Atypical sensory registration and orientation can interfere with the processes of inhibition and facili‐ tation in sensory systems. Some self-stimulatory behaviour is the expression of a sensory need in children with autism. Assessing sensory integrative functioning in children with autism is critical for planning and implementing effective intervention in occupational therapy [3-5]. As far as motor functions are concerned, motor impairments have been reported in children with autism. The studies shown that problems are observed in coordination, posture and balance control, locomotion and motor preparation in individuals with autism [6-10].
Postservice mortality in Vietnam veterans: 30-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND During the 1980s, the postservice mortality component of the Vietnam Experience Study was conducted to examine the health effects of the Vietnam experience. This study was limited by the relatively short follow-up and the young age of the veterans. Thus, a follow-up mortality investigation on this cohort was undertaken to further assess the impact of the Vietnam experience on chronic conditions. METHODS Vital status and underlying cause-of-death data on the Vietnam Experience Study cohort (18 313 male US Army veterans) were retrospectively ascertained from the end of the original study through 2000. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted rate ratios (RRs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality, comparing Vietnam and non-Vietnam veterans. RESULTS All-cause mortality was 7% higher in Vietnam vs non-Vietnam veterans during 30-year follow-up (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.18). The excess mortality among Vietnam veterans was isolated to the first 5 years after discharge from active duty and resulted from an increase in external causes of death (RR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.16-2.26). Cause-specific analyses revealed no difference in disease-related mortality. Vietnam veterans, however, experienced excess unintentional poisoning (RR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.12-4.57) and drug-related (RR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.01-2.86) deaths throughout follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Vietnam veterans continued to experience higher mortality than non-Vietnam veterans from unintentional poisonings and drug-related causes. Death rates from disease-related chronic conditions, including cancers and circulatory system diseases, did not differ between Vietnam veterans and their peers, despite the increasing age of the cohort (mean age, 53 years) and the longer follow-up (average, 30 years).
Frequency response of cantilever beams immersed in compressible fluids with applications to the atomic force microscope

The dynamics of microcantilever beams can be strongly affected by immersion in fluid. While the importance of viscosity for devices of microscale dimensions is well established, the significance of fluid compressibility has not been investigated in detail. Here, we present a rigorous theoretical model for the frequency response of a rectangular cantilever beam that is executing normal and torsional oscillations, and is immersed in a compressible fluid. Both the viscous case and the inviscid limit are considered, and the model is valid for arbitrary mode number. We find that compressibility becomes increasingly important as the mode number rises. This is particularly relevant for gases, where compressibility is found to be important for high mode numbers of practical interest. © 2009 American Institute of Physics. doi:10.1063/1.3254191
Conversion of a silencer into an enhancer: evidence for a co‐repressor in dorsal‐mediated repression in Drosophila.

The dorsal (dl) protein gradient determines patterns of gene expression along the dorsal‐ventral axis of the Drosophila embryo. dl protein is at peak levels in ventral nuclei of the embryo where it activates some genes (twist and snail) and represses others [zerknullt (zen), decapentaplegic and tolloid]. It is a member of the rel family of transcription factors and interacts with specific DNA sequences in the regulatory regions of its target genes. These sequences (dl binding sites), when taken from the context of either an activated or repressed promoter, mediate transcriptional activation of a heterologous promoter, but not repression. We found that T‐rich sequences close to the dl binding sites in the silencer region of the zen promoter are conserved between three Drosophila species. Using this sequence information we defined a minimal element that can mediate repression of a heterologous promoter. This element interacts with at least two factors present in embryonic extracts, one of which is dl protein. The other factor binds to the T‐rich site. Point mutations in either site abolish ventral repression in vivo. In addition, mutations in the T‐rich site cause ectopic expression in ventral regions indicating that the minimal silencer was converted into an enhancer.
Octreotide Exerts Only Acute, but No Sustained, Effects on MRI Enhancement of Liver Metastases in Carcinoid Syndrome

We have investigated the acute and sustained hemodynamic effects of octreotide on hepatic metastases of midgut carcinoids using contrast-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Seven patients with the carcinoid syndrome and metastasized midgut carcinoid tumors underwent functional dynamic multi-phase gadolinium-enhanced MRI of selected liver metastases at baseline and 60 min after the subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of 100 µg octreotide, and also after 3 months with three times daily (t.i.d.) 100 µg octreotide s.c. Baseline MRIs showed the typical aspect of carcinoid liver metastases with a very bright signal on the T2-weighted sequences and intense enhancement in the arterial phase after injection of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate. MRIs 60 min after the s.c. administration of 100 µg octreotide showed a 34.9 ± 6.2% (mean ± SD) reduction in relative enhancement in the selected liver metastases as compared to baseline. In 2 patients, however, there was no (significant) reduction in the relative enhancement in the selected liver metastases 60 min after the s.c. administration of 100 µg octreotide as compared to baseline. Only in 2 patients did the MRIs at 3 months show a decrease in relative enhancement in one of the selected liver metastases. At 3 months, with 100 µg octreotide s.c. t.i. d. , there was no correlation between the change in relative enhancement on MRI and the change in 24-hour 5-HIAA excretion. There is thus only an acute effect of octreotide on the perfusion of liver metastases. This study further shows that contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI can be a very useful tool for studying hemodynamic effects of medical therapies on liver metastases in patients with metastatic midgut carcinoids.
[Experimental study on efficacy of thermal muds of Ischia Island combined with balneotherapy in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with plaques].

A lot of studies show the efficacy of thermal therapy in psoriasis. The main indications concern all forms of psoriasis (except for pustolosa and eritrodermic) especially diffuse psoriasis, intensive itchy, artropatic psoriasis and gutted psoriasis child. Benefit effects of thermal water and muds, which are important parameters in psoriasis' treatment, they are excellent to reduce inflammation, scaling, and erythema. In this study we evaluated the clinical efficacy of thermal bath plus muds in patients affected by psoriasis. 18 patients has been examined and randomly divided in 3 group (A-B-C). All the patients received thermal therapy for 4 weeks. To evaluate the behaviour of the disease we performed (corneometry, sebometry, phmetry), as well as evaluation of P.A. S.I. At the end of the study, values of P.A. S.I. showed a reduction from 10 to 6 unites P.A. S.I. for patients belong to group A, more 12 to less 10 for patients belong to group C e no significant variations for group B (because represent control group). Results obtained can be considered useful, considering that thermal treatment was used alone in the treatment of all patients.
The effectiveness of an indicated prevention programme for substance use in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning: results of a quasi‐experimental study

Abstract Aims To assess the effectiveness of Take it personal! , a prevention programme for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning (MID‐BIF) and substance use (SU). The prevention programme aims to reduce SU (alcohol, cannabis and illicit drugs) among experimental to problematic substance users. Design A quasi‐experimental design with two arms and a 3‐month follow‐up. Setting Adolescents were recruited from 14 treatment centres in the Netherlands specialized in offering intra‐ and extramural care for people with MID‐BIF and behavioural problems. Participants Data were collected from 66 individuals with MID‐BIF assigned either to the intervention condition (n = 34) or to the control condition (n = 32). Interventions Take it personal! was designed to target four personality traits: sensation‐seeking, impulsive behaviour, anxiety sensitivity and negative thinking. For each of these profiles, interventions were developed that were structurally the same but contained different personality‐specific materials, games and exercises. The control group received care as usual. Measurements Primary outcomes at 3‐month follow‐up were frequency of SU, severity of SU and binge drinking. Results Results showed intervention effects for SU frequency (F (1, 50.43) = 9.27, P = 0.004) and binge drinking (F (1, 48.02) = 8.63, P = 0.005), but not for severity of SU (F (1, 42.09) = 2.20, P = 0.145). Conclusions A prevention programme to reduce substance use among experimental to problematic users with mild intellectual disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning helped participants to decrease substance use frequency and binge drinking.
Liver Repopulation after Hepatocellular Transplantation: Integration and Interaction of Transplanted Hepatocytes in the Host

The mechanisms of donor hepatocyte integration into recipient liver are not fully understood. We investigated mechanisms of both the integration and interaction of transplanted hepatocytes with host liver cells as well as the repopulation of the host organ following intraportal transplantation. Mature hepatocytes were injected into the portal vein of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV)-deficient rats pretreated with retrorsine and subjected to 30% partial hepatectomy to ensure selective donor growth. The degree of integration and proliferation was studied by colocalizing transplanted cells (DPPIV positive) with connexin 32, MMP-2, and OX-43 (multilayer immunofluorescence imaging). FACS analysis was established to assess the extent of repopulation quantitatively. Transplanted hepatocytes reached the distal portal spaces and sinusoids within 1 h after injection. A small proportion of cells succeeded in traversing the endothelial barrier through mechanical disruption in both locations. Transplanted hepatocytes lost their membrane-bound gap junctions (connexin 32) during this process. Successful integration of the donor cells required up to 5 days, heralded by gap junction reconstitution and the specific basolateral membrane expression of DPPIV. MMP-2 degraded the extracellular matrix in close proximity to donor cells, providing space for cell division. FACS analysis revealed that more than 37% of the liver was repopulated by cells derived from donors at 2 months after transplantation. Our data demonstrate a high degree of donor cell repopulation of the host organ and provide valuable insight into the specific mechanisms of donor cell integration. Connexin 32 expression in transplanted hepatocytes may serve as an indicator of their effective incorporation and communication within the recipient liver. FACS analysis reveals an accurate method to determine quantitatively the extent of liver repopulation.
Locke's Psychology of Personal Identity

Soulignant l'importance de la relation entre analyse conceptuelle, metaphysique et psychologie dans la theorie de l'identite personnelle chez Locke, l'A. se propose de mettre en evidence les caracteristiques psychologiques de l'etre humain, de la personne et du moi dans le mecanisme lockien de l'autoconstitution fonde sur la fonction de la memoire et sur l'unite de la conscience. Distinguant les objets animes des objets inanimes, les humains des personnes, l'A. mesure l'influence de la notion d'appropriation et de l'idee de rendre compte dans la reception de Locke au XVII e et au XX e siecle.
Low temperature solid-state-diffusion bonding for fine-pitch Cu/Sn/Cu interconnect

3D interconnection is one of the key technologies for future's 3D integration. Cu/Sn/Cu Solid-State-Diffusion (SSD) bonding has been proposed and investigated for fine-pitch interconnection in this paper. Wafer-level bumps, with 20μm-pitch and daisy-chain and Kelvin structures, were pretreated for surface activation and bonded face to face with a wafer bonder. After bonding at 200°C for 1hour, the as-bonded interfacial microstructure is Cu/Cu3Sn/Cu6Sn5/Cu3Sn/Cu, without pure Sn remained. When the bonded wafers were annealed at 200°C for 30min under N2 atmosphere, the Cu6Sn5 was almost exhausted. And the bonding strength increased from 48MPa to 62MPa. The electrical resistance of the daisy chain including 100 bumps is 11. 8Ω, which consisting of redistribution layer and bonding bumps. Additionally, the resistance of the Kelvin structure is 15mΩ. The resistance values are approximate to the theory estimation. Bonding pairs after high temperature storage (HTS) at 150°C for 500hrs were checked for reliability study. Kirkendall voids with various dimensions are discussed for both as-bonded and annealing interfaces. It is concluded that Cu/Sn/Cu SSD bonding would be one of the candidates for fine-pitch interconnect.
The absence of functional dectin-1 on enterocytes may serve to prevent intestinal damage

Background Enterocytes are exposed to antigens present in the intestinal lumen, like &bgr;-glucans that are carbohydrate structures present not only in the cell wall of yeast and fungi but also in cereals. Beta-glucans are known for their immune modulating properties and we have earlier reported an increased immune response by enterocytes after addition of fecal water prepared from ileostomic contents obtained from participants consuming an oat &bgr;-glucan diet versus a placebo diet. We hypothesized that our observation of immune stimulating effects by oat &bgr;-glucan in enterocytes was mediated through the &bgr;-glucan receptor dectin-1. Methods Presence of dectin-1 in enterocytes was examined by reverse transcriptase PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry followed by an evaluation of the functional involvement of dectin-1 by using dectin-1 inhibitors during fecal water incubations. Results Reverse transcriptase PCR and western blot analysis showed dectin-1 presence in the INT407 and Caco-2 NF-κB reporter enterocyte cell lines. Moreover, human enterocytes isolated from ileum or colon biopsies also contained dectin-1 protein. However, dectin-1 expression could not be confirmed by flow cytometry in INT407 cells, suggesting that in these cell lines dectin-1 is not expressed at the extracellular membrane. Furthermore, dectin-1 inhibitors did not suppress the &bgr;-glucan containing fecal water-induced IL-8 production by INT407 cells and NF-κB transactivation by Caco-2 NF-κB reporter cells. Conclusion INT407 and Caco-2 NF-κB reporter cells seem to express no functional dectin-1. The absence of this pattern recognition receptor may function to protect the intestine against inflammatory damage, as the dectin-1 ligand &bgr;-glucan is largely present in the intestinal lumen.
Epidemiological Dynamics of Hepatitis C Virus among 747 German Individuals: New Subtypes on the Advance

ABSTRACT This study demonstrates the dynamics in the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus subtypes. Subtypes 3a and 4a have become increasingly prevalent in patients where an infection within recent years can be assumed. Evidence is presented that the subtypes observed among younger patients can spread rapidly and lead to significant changes in the subtype distribution.
Mean-Variance Location Problems

In this paper we discuss three mean-variance location problems. Two of them are constrained problems where one performance measure—mean of the weighted distance, or variance, is minimized subject to an upper bound constraint on the value of the other. In the third problem the objective function minimized is given by the mean plus a constant times the variance. The paper includes polynomial time algorithms to solve the three problems. The solutions produced by these algorithms are Pareto optimum solutions (solutions that are strictly better than any other solution in at least one of the two measures: mean and variance).
MICROWAVE THERMAL OXIDATION OF GAS EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM THE RISKY MEDICAL WASTE INCINERATION

Articolul prezintă o aplicaţie în tehnica microundelor bazată pe utilizarea unor materiale ceramice puternic absorbante de microunde, care dezvoltă un efect de oxidare (post-ardere) termică a emisiilor poluante (CO, SO2, NOx, componente organice volatile COV) rezultate în urma incinerării deşeurilor medicale periculoase. Sunt prezentate aspecte teoretice şi experimentale ale comportării în câmp de microunde a acestor materiale în diverse variante, nivelurile maxime de temperatură obţinute pentru asigurarea regimului termic de oxidare a emisiilor poluante şi panta de creştere a temperaturii pentru diferite niveluri de putere în microunde. De asemenea sunt prezentate date privind stabilitatea mecanică a materialelor susceptoare de microunde, în condiţiile temperaturilor maxime dezvoltate de acestea.
A Software Architecture for Distributed Volume Rendering on HPC Systems

We present a scalable software architecture for distributed direct volume rendering on HPC systems. Our approach allows for generically replacing components along the distributed volume rendering pipeline. Renderer components range from highly specialized GPU renderers that implement state of the art features to more versatile remote renderers, that can make use of numerous distributed memory nodes to exploit sort-last parallel rendering, with each node running a generic renderer component itself. Renderer components that are designed to run on CPUs or GPUs respectively make our software architecture most useful for HPC systems. Using zero configuration networking, our system is able to scale at run time by introducing additional resources without having to reset the whole cluster. Generic I/O subsystems allow for various interprocess communication technologies to be used interchangeably, while generalizing the display phase and decoupling it from the rendering and I/O phases can be exploited to hide latency. We integrate our proposed software architecture into the freely available open source direct volume rendering library Virvo.
Measurements of strip dipole antennas on finite-thickness substrates at 230 GHz

Gain and field pattern measurements at 230 GHz are reported for strip dipole antennas on finite-thickness substrates without ground planes. Four substrate thicknesses are investigated ranging from 0.25 lambda to 1.53 lambda ( lambda =wavelength in substrate material). Measured results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. A unique detector/low-pass filter design, composed of a bolometer and an interdigitated capacitor, is used to eliminate the distortion of the measured field patterns caused by the reception of the leads connecting the antenna with the monitoring instrumentation. <<ETX>>