Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A fast algorithm for quasi-periodic array modeling using reduced basis method

Planar quasi-periodic arrays are widely used in many electromagnetic devices such as metasurfaces, reflectarray antennas, nano particle arrays, and etc. They constitute similar elements located on periodic grids. Simulation of wave interaction with such arrays are very challenging as they are large multi-scale problems. In this work, we introduce a fast algorithm for quasi-periodic array modeling. This algorithm numerically recovers periodicity using linear current projection and reduced basis method. The reduced basis method can also take advantage of the similarities among elements and reduce the number of unknowns to solve. These two schemes together allow us to recall the power of fast Fourier transform as we solve periodic arrays. The computational complexity of this algorithm is O(NlogN) where N is the number of elements in the array. Numerical example shows the potential to solve large scale quasi-periodic arrays.
Mitosis-Specific Promoter of the Alfalfa Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Gene (Medsa;CDKB2;1) Is Activated by Wounding and Ethylene in a Non-Cell Division-Dependent Manner1[W]

Cyclin-dependent serine/threonine kinases (CDKs) have pivotal roles in regulating the eukaryotic cell cycle. Plants possess a unique class of CDKs (B-type CDKs) with preferential protein accumulation at G2/M-phases; however, their exact functions are still enigmatic. Here we describe the functional characterization of a 360-bp promoter region of the alfalfa (Medicago sativa) CDKB2;1 gene in transgenic plants and cell lines. It is shown that the activity of the analyzed promoter was characteristic for proliferating meristematic regions in planta and specific for cells in the G2/M-phases in synchronized cell cultures. Immunohistochemical analysis of transgenic root sections further confirmed the correlation of the expression of the CDKB2;1 promoter-linked reporter genes with the accumulation of the correspondent kinase. It was found that, in addition to auxin (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) treatment, wounding could also induce both the reporter and endogenous genes in transgenic leaf explants. Furthermore, ethylene, known as a wound-response mediator, had a similar effect. The gene activation in response to wounding or ethephon was faster and occurred without the induction of cell cycle progression in contrast to the control auxin treatment. In silico analysis of this promoter indeed revealed the presence of a set of cis-elements, indicating not only cell cycle- but wound- and ethylene-dependent regulation of this CDK gene. Based on the presented data, we discuss the functional significance of the complex regulation of mitosis-specific CDK genes in plants.
Cadmium potentiates toxicity of cypermethrin in zebrafish

Co‐occurrence of pesticides such as synthetic pyrethroids and metals in aquatic ecosystems raises concerns over their combined ecological effects. Cypermethrin, 1 of the top 5 synthetic pyrethroids in use, has been extensively detected in surface water. Cadmium (Cd) has been recognized as 1 of the most toxic metals and is a common contaminant in the aquatic system. However, little information is available regarding their joint toxicity. In the present study, combined toxicity of cypermethrin and Cd and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Zebrafish embryos and adults were exposed to the individual contaminant or binary mixtures. Co‐exposure to cypermethrin and Cd produced synergistic effects on the occurrence of crooked body, pericardial edema, and noninflation of swim bladder. The addition of Cd significantly potentiated cypermethrin‐induced spasms and caused more oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae. Cypermethrin‐mediated induction of transcription levels and catalytic activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme were significantly down‐regulated by Cd in both zebrafish larvae and adults. Chemical analytical data showed that in vitro elimination of cypermethrin by CYP1A1 was inhibited by Cd. The addition of Cd caused an elevation of in vivo cypermethrin residue levels in the mixture‐exposed adult zebrafish. These results suggest that the enhanced toxicity of cypermethrin in the presence of Cd results from the inhibitory effects of Cd on CYP‐mediated biotransformation of this pesticide. The authors' findings provide a deeper understanding of the mechanistic basis accounting for the joint toxicity of cypermethrin and Cd. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:435–445. © 2015 SETAC
Adipocytes Constitutively Release Factors That Accelerate Keratinocyte Proliferation In Vitro

Keratinocytes grown directly on adipose tissue have greater proliferation rates than keratinocytes grown alone. It is unknown if factors released by adipose tissue into culture media could increase keratinocyte proliferation without requiring incorporation of adipose tissue into skin graft models, or serve as a substitute for the fibroblast feeder layer. Human keratinocytes were grown with and without NIH 3T3 fibroblast feeder layer in the following conditions (12 cultures per group) adipose tissue coculture (AT), cultures supplemented with medium from whole adipose tissue referred to as adipose-conditioned medium (ACM), and control. Proliferation was measured with a colorimetric proliferation assay and digital calculations of percent confluence over time. Culture morphology was assessed by light microscopy. ACM cultures without 3T3s, AT cultures with and without 3T3s, and 3T3 control cultures demonstrated a similarly significant keratinocyte proliferation increase over non-3T3 control (P < 0.05) corresponding with a 2-fold increase in percent confluence by day 7. ACM cultures with 3T3s proliferated significantly faster than all other treatment groups (P < 0.05) resulting in complete confluence by day 5. ACM cultures with and without 3T3s produced a thick keratinized layer by day 7 whereas all other cultures including AT cultures did not. Engineered tissue replacement can be accelerated and simplified by ACM without requiring the addition of adipose tissue or a fibroblast feeder layer to keratinocyte culture systems. ACM supplementation provides an additive proliferation benefit when combined with a feeder layer producing mature grafts in approximately half the time as keratinocytes alone by accelerating proliferation and increasing keratinization.
Prospective comparison of transient elastography, Fibrotest, APRI, and liver biopsy for the assessment of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Transient elastography (FibroScan; Echosens, Paris, France) is a novel, noninvasive, and rapid bedside method to assess liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness. We prospectively assessed the performance of FibroScan in patients with chronic hepatitis C, in comparison with and combined with currently available biochemical markers (Fibrotest; Biopredictive; and the aspartate transaminase to platelets ratio index [APRI]); a liver biopsy examination performed the same day served as the reference. METHODS We studied 183 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C (METAVIR fibrosis stage F1, n = 47; F2, n = 53; F3, n = 37; F4, n = 46). RESULTS FibroScan values ranged from 2.4 to 75.4 kilopascals (median, 7.4 kilopascals). Cut-off values were 7.1 kPa for F > or = 2, 9.5 kPa for F > or = 3, and 12.5 kPa for F = 4. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of FibroScan, FibroTest, and APRI values were of the same order (.83, .85, and .78, respectively, for F > or = 2; .90, .90, and .84, respectively, for F > or = 3; and .95, .87, and .83, respectively, for F = 4). The best performance was obtained by combining the FibroScan and FibroTest, with areas under the ROC curve of . 88 for F > or = 2, . 95 for F > or = 3, and . 95 for F = 4. When the FibroScan and FibroTest results agreed, liver biopsy examination confirmed them in 84% of cases for F > or = 2, in 95% for F > or = 3, and in 94% for F = 4. CONCLUSIONS FibroScan is a simple and effective method for assessing liver fibrosis, with similar performance to FibroTest and APRI. The combined use of FibroScan and FibroTest to evaluate liver fibrosis could avoid a biopsy procedure in most patients with chronic hepatitis C.
RsrA, an anti‐sigma factor regulated by redox change

SigR (σR) is a sigma factor responsible for inducing the thioredoxin system in response to oxidative stress in the antibiotic‐producing, Gram‐positive bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Here we identify a redox‐sensitive, σR‐specific anti‐sigma factor, RsrA, which binds σR and inhibits σR‐directed transcription in vitro only under reducing conditions. Exposure to H2O2 or to the thiol‐specific oxidant diamide caused the dissociation of the σR–RsrA complex, thereby allowing σR‐dependent transcription. This correlated with intramolecular disulfide bond formation in RsrA. Thioredoxin was able to reduce oxidized RsrA, suggesting that σR, RsrA and the thioredoxin system comprise a novel feedback homeostasis loop that senses and responds to changes in the intracellular thiol–disulfide redox balance.
Analysis of Two Continuous Control Regions of Conventional Phase Shift and Transition Phase Shift for Induction Heating Inverter under ZVS and NON-ZVS Operation

This paper proposes an analysis of two continuous control regions of conventional phase shift and transition phase shift for a full-bridge series resonant inverter operating under zero voltage switching (ZVS) and nonzero voltage switching (NON-ZVS) conditions with the load of induction heating. A number of circuit operations for the cases of conventional phase-shift and transition phase-shift control regions under ZVS and NON-ZVS conditions are analyzed first. Various voltage and current equations of the operating circuits are then obtained and used for calculation of the waveforms with the aid of the MATLAB program. The calculated waveforms make possible the consideration of some important circuit parameters that are used to determine ZVS or NON-ZVS conditions. The theoretical results and the proposed method are also verified by experiments, using a prototype test set in our laboratory.
Antibiotic Use in Small Community Hospitals.

BACKGROUND Antibiotic use and misuse is driving drug resistance. Much of US healthcare takes place in small community hospitals (SCHs); 70% of all US hospitals have <200 beds. Antibiotic use in SCHs is poorly described. We evaluated antibiotic use using data from the National Healthcare and Safety Network antimicrobial use option from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. METHODS We used Intermountain Healthcare's monthly antibiotic use reports for 19 hospitals from 2011 to 2013. Hospital care units were categorized as intensive care, medical/surgical, pediatric, or miscellaneous. Antibiotics were categorized based on spectrum of coverage. Antibiotic use rates, expressed as days of therapy per 1000 patient-days (DOT/1000PD), were calculated for each SCH and compared with rates in large community hospitals (LCHs). Negative-binomial regression was used to relate antibiotic use to predictor variables. RESULTS Total antibiotic use rates varied widely across the 15 SCHs (median, 436 DOT/1000PD; range, 134-671 DOT/1000PD) and were similar to rates in 4 LCHs (509 DOT/1000PD; 406-597 DOT/1000PD). The proportion of patient-days spent in the respective unit types varied substantially within SCHs and had a large impact on facility-level rates. Broad-spectrum antibiotics accounted for 26% of use in SCHs (range, 8%-36%), similar to the proportion in LCHs (32%; range, 26%-37%). Case mix index, proportion of patient-days in specific unit types, and season were significant predictors of antibiotic use. CONCLUSIONS There is substantial variation in patterns of antibiotic use among SCHs. Overall usage in SCHs is similar to usage in LCHs. Small hospitals need to become a focus of stewardship efforts.
Effects of Luminance, Contrast, and Blur on Visual Acuity

Although previous investigations have reported that changes in background luminance, stimulus contrast, and dioptric blur can each affect visual acuity independently, it has not been shown how these three variables interact to influence visual acuity. This is a particularly important issue if one is interested in predicting how individuals with different refractive characteristics will be able to perform acuity-based tasks in degraded visual environments with low background lighting and contrast levels. To investigate these relations, we conducted a series of experiments in which measurements of visual acuity were obtained for four subjects using Landolt C targets of varying contrast at several background luminances for levels of blur between 0 and 8 diopters (D). Our results show that visual acuity is significantly affected by all three factors, and that their effects are essentially additive. At all luminance and contrast levels, the reduction in visual acuity is greatest for dioptric blur up to 2.0 D, with a more gradual reduction in visual acuity for dioptric blur of greater than 2.0 D. At all blur and luminance levels, visual acuity decreases gradually for contrast levels down to 20%, and decreases sharply for lower contrast levels. Over the range of background luminances we tested (75.0 to 0.075 cd/m2), visual acuity decreases linearly with reductions in luminance. The additive effects of dioptric blur, contrast, and luminance provide a basis for predicting visual acuity-related task performance for individuals in different visual environments. For example, an individual with 6/6 (20/20) visual acuity under high luminance- high contrast co/ditions will fall to 6/18 (20/60) acuity for low luminance conditions and 6/30 (20/100) for low luminance-low contrast conditions. Similarly, an individual with an uncorrected visual acuity of 6/30 (20/100) under optimal conditions will fall to approximately 6/120 (20/400) under low luminance conditions and 6/240 (20/800) under low luminance-low contrast conditions.
Distribution and Antigenicity of Fibronectin Binding Proteins (SfbI and SfbII) of Streptococcus pyogenesClinical Isolates from the Northern Territory, Australia

ABSTRACT Fibronectin binding proteins play an important role in the adherence and invasion of group A streptococci (GAS). Genotypically distinct GAS isolates were screened for the presence and expression of two streptococcal fibronectin binding protein genes, sfbIand sfbII. Of the tested strains, 64 and 36% were shown to harbor and express the sfbI and sfbII genes, respectively. All sfbII-positive strains tested were also positive for sfbI, but only 28% of thesfbII-negative strains were positive for sfbI. High levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies to both SfbI and SfbII were found in sera from 80 subjects with defined streptococcal infections.
An investigation of spontaneous activity at the neuromuscular junction of the rat

The occurrence of spontaneous subthreshold activity at the neuromuscular junction of the frog, originally observed by Fatt & Katz (1950), has subsequently been investigated in detail by Katz and co-workers (Fatt & Katz, 1952; del Castillo & Katz, 1954 a-d, 1955 a, b). Recently the presence of similar activity in a mammalian tissue-the tenuissimus muscle of the cat-has been reported (Boyd & Martin, 1955). In the present study the occurrence of spontaneous activity at the neuromuscular junction of the albino rat has been observed and the characteristics of this activity have been investigated, both in isolated tissues and, to a less extent, in vivo. A preliminary report of this investigation was communicated to the A.N. Z.A. A.S. Meeting, Section N, Melbourne, 1955.
X-ray-absorption fine structure in embedded atoms.

Oscillatory structure is found in the atomic background absorption in x-ray-absorption fine-structure (XAFS) measurements. This atomic XAFS (AXAFS) arises from scattering within an embedded atom, and is analogous to the Ramsauer-Townsend effect. Calculations and measurements confirm the existence of AXAFS and show that it can dominate contributions such as multielectron excitations. The structure is sensitive to chemical effects and thus provides a probe of bonding and exchange effects on the scattering potential.
Oviposition Pattern of Early and Late-Emerging Genotypes of Delia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) at Different Temperatures

ABSTRACT The cabbage maggot, Delia radicum L. , has a bimodal pattern of emergence caused by the presence in populations of early and late-emerging genotypes that differ in their pupal development time. These genotypes could also express different egg-laying strategies. To examine oviposition patterns between genotypes and, particularly, their response to temperature, the egg-laying activity of females and egg mortality from each genotype were evaluated at temperatures from 12 to 30°C. Several criteria were used to describe the oviposition pattern: longevity of females, preoviposition period, lifetime fecundity, number of oviposition bouts, duration and number of eggs for each oviposition bout, duration of an oviposition cycle, and time interval between oviposition bouts. All criteria were similar between genotypes, except the preoviposition period and time interval between oviposition bouts. The preoviposition period was 1–4 d longer for the early emerging genotype than for the late-emerging genotype at temperatures <25°C, but similar at temperatures ≥25°C. The time interval between oviposition bouts of early emerging genotype was a few hours longer than for the late-emerging genotype at all temperatures. All oviposition pattern criteria responded to temperature, except the duration of oviposition bouts (≈6.5 d) and egg mortality (≈11%). The duration of a bout could be a compromise between oogenesis duration and the risks associated with egg deposition. According to these results, early and late-emerging genotypes express similar egg-laying strategies for all temperatures tested.
Embryonic development of mouse external genitalia: insights into a unique mode of organogenesis

SUMMARY The mammalian external genitalia are specialized appendages for efficient copulation, internal fertilization and display marked morphological variation among species. In this paper, we described the embryonic development of mouse genital tubercle (GT), an anlage of the external genitalia utilizing the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. It has been shown that the Distal Urethral Epithelium (DUE) may fulfill an essential role in the outgrowth control of the GT. Our present SEM analysis revealed a small distal protrusion at the tip of the GT of normal embryos as well as some morphological differences between male and female embryonic external genitalia. Previous analysis shows that the teratogenic dose of Retinoic Acid (RA) induces a drastic marformation of the urethral plate, but not gross abnormalities for GT outgrowth. Interestingly, a small distal protrusion at the tip of GT was clearly observed also after RA treatement. Furthermore, we showed that treatment with anti‐androgen flutamide resulted in the demasculinization of the GT in males. The unique character of GT development and the sexual dimorphism are discussed.
Wnt/Wingless Pathway Activation and Chromosome 6 Loss Characterise a Distinct Molecular Sub-Group of Medulloblastomas Associated with a Favourable Prognosis

The accurate assessment of disease risk remains a major goal in children with medulloblastoma. Activation of the canonical Wnt/Wingless (Wnt/Wg) signalling pathway occurs in up to 25% of cases and is associated with a favourable disease outcome. To explore the molecular pathogenesis of Wnt/Wg-active medulloblastomas, and to investigate any genetic basis for their observed clinical behaviour, we assessed a series of primary medulloblastomas for evidence of Wnt/Wg pathway activation, alongside a genome-wide analysis of associated copy-number aberrations. Cases displaying evidence of Wnt/Wg activation (CTNNB1 mutation and/or β-catenin nuclear stabilisation) were exclusively associated with a distinct genomic signature involving loss of an entire copy of chromosome 6 but few other aberrations (p
Recent progress of ultra wideband radio propagation studies for body area network

This paper reviews recent advances in ultra wideband (UWB) radio propagation measurements and modeling for wireless body area networks (WBAN) under a research project between Tokyo Denki University and National Institute of Information and Communications Technology of Japan. Several measurement campaigns and associated modeling have been carried out in either a radio anechoic chamber or a specific room type; however, dependence of the radio propagation on surrounding environments has not been studied. Multipaths (mainly reflected from floor, ceiling, and walls) depend particularly highly on the environment. Propagation measurements were carried out (including lower body sections) in three different surrounding environments: a radio anechoic chamber, a classroom, and a small room. The propagation losses of continuous wave (6.85 GHz), low-band UWB (3.4–4.8 GHz), and high-band UWB (7.25–10.25 GHz) were evaluated in comparison with that of full-band UWB (3.1–10.6 GHz). Parameters in a conventional propagation loss model were derived from the measured data. The parameters were found to significantly diverge and depend on room volume and body sections. A modified model considering the impact of the room volume has been proposed for individual body sections. Different propagation mechanisms were discussed along with the parameter derivation. Probability distributions for the UWB propagation loss and delay spreads were also examined.
Intimacy and Smartphone Multitasking—A New Oxymoron?

This study investigated the relationship between smartphone multitasking and romantic intimacy. Participants currently in a romantic relationship (N = 128; 98 women; M age = 26.7 years, SD = 4.3) filled out two sets of questionnaires: The Emotional Intimacy Scale, measuring romantic intimacy, and the mobile phone interference in life scale, measuring multitasking on a smartphone. Participants filled out each questionnaire twice, once in relation to themselves and once in relation to their partner (for the partner questionnaire, statements were altered from the first person to the third person singular, he/she instead of I). Results suggested that only the partners’ smartphone multitasking scores were negatively related to ratings of romantic intimacy, whereas participants’ own smartphone multitasking scores were not related to ratings of romantic intimacy. These results can be explained by the actor–observer asymmetry, suggesting that participants attributed their multitasking behaviors to situations, but attributed their partners multitasking behaviors to behavior patterns or intentionality. This research suggests that smartphone multitasking has a negative association with face-to-face interactions. People should attend to the costs of smartphone use during face-to-face interactions.
Life Versus Disease in Difficult Diabetes Care: Conflicting Perspectives Disempower Patients and Professionals in Problem Solving

Conflicts in problem solving are known from diabetes research on patients with good glycemic control but have rarely been studied in the care of patients with poor glycemic control. Equally, the different perspectives of health care providers and patients have not been a focus in previous studies. The authors studied the interactions between health care providers and 11 diabetes patients with poor glycemic control in a grounded theory study at a Danish university hospital. Keeping Life and Disease Apart was identified as a core category. It involved a pattern of conflicts both between and within patients and health professionals, which disempowered them in problem solving. Three approaches to problem solving were identified: A compliance-expecting approach kept the pattern unchanged, a failure-expecting approach deadlocked the pattern, and a mutuality-expecting approach appeared to neutralize the conflict.