Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multilevel Subarray Modularization to Construct Hierarchical Beamforming Networks for Phased Array of Antennas With Low Complexity

A multilevel subarray RF modularization technique is presented to construct a hierarchical beamforming network (BFN) for phased array of antennas. In contrast to the conventional BFN architecture, which feeds each antenna element by using individual set of RF devices, the restructured RF modules may simplify the BFN architecture. They may dramatically reduce the cost without significantly sacrificing the radiation performance. In this technique, the RF devices to feed antenna elements are subdivided into groups for modularization. Each module is formed by very few elements of RF devices to form a multilevel BFN, where the number of RF elements in each module are the integer factors of array size. Each module at the same layer consists of identical RF structures to minimize the mass manufacture cost. In this paper, the theoretical foundation is developed to provide design guidelines. Examination of radiation discrepancy is also investigated to demonstrate the feasibility and validate the proposed technique.
The role of hyperlipidemia therapy in preventive care

The diagnosis and treatment of lipid disorders have progressed significantly within the last several years. The ability to define the exact metabolic derangement is now possible using sophisticated laboratory techniques. For the practitioner and the patient, however, the precise characterization of the underlying disorder is not always necessary. With a basic understanding of the approach to lipid disorders as outlined, and the accurate determination of the cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the physician can outline a potent strategy for the reduction of lipids in his or her patients. At present, multiple therapeutic options are available to the physician. These are discussed.
Accuracy of Self‐Report in Detecting Taste Dysfunction

Objective: To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of responses to the following questionnaire statements in detecting taste loss: “I can detect salt in chips, pretzels, or salted nuts,” “I can detect sourness in vinegar, pickles, or lemon,” “I can detect sweetness in soda, cookies, or ice cream,” and “I can detect bitterness, in coffee, beer, or tonic water. ” Responses to an additional item, “I can detect chocolate in cocoa, cake or candy,” was examined to determine whether patients clearly differentiate between taste loss and flavor loss secondary to olfactory dysfunction.
Phase Tomography by X-ray Talbot Interferometry for Biological Imaging

The X-ray phase tomography of biological samples is reported, which is based on X-ray Talbot interferometry. Its imaging principle is described in detail, and imaging results obtained for a cancerous rabbit liver and a mouse tail with synchrotron radiation are presented. Because an amplitude grating is needed to construct an X-ray Talbot interferometer, a high-aspect-ratio grating pattern was fabricated by X-ray lithography and gold electroplating. X-ray Talbot interferometry has an advantage that it functions with polychromatic cone-beam X-rays. Finally, the compatibility with a compact X-ray source is discussed.
Proline-Proline-Glutamic Acid (PPE) Protein Rv1168c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Augments Transcription from HIV-1 Long Terminal Repeat Promoter*

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis stimulates HIV-1 LTR transcription in co-infected individuals. Results: A PPE protein of M. tuberculosis Rv1168c interacts with TLR2 to activate NF-κB leading to HIV-1 LTR trans-activation. Conclusion: Mycobacterial components can directly activate HIV-1 LTR by modulating host signaling cascades. Significance: This information may be helpful to develop therapeutics to control HIV-1 infection in co-infected patients. Cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage are shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The occurrence of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection is found to be accelerated in people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but the mechanism by which mycobacterial protein(s) induces HIV-1 LTR trans-activation is not clearly understood. We show here that the M. tuberculosis proline-proline-glutamic acid (PPE) protein Rv1168c (PPE17) can augment transcription from HIV-1 LTR in monocyte/macrophage cells. Rv1168c interacts specifically with Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) resulting in downstream activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) resulting in HIV-1 LTR trans-activation. Another PPE protein, Rv1196 (PPE18), was also found to interact with TLR2 but had no effect on HIV-1 LTR trans-activation because of its inability to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway. In silico docking analyses and mutation experiments have revealed that the N-terminal domain of Rv1168c specifically interacts with LRR motifs 15–20 of TLR2, and this site of interaction is different from that of Rv1196 protein (LRR motifs 11–15), indicating that the site of interaction on TLR2 dictates the downstream signaling events leading to activation of NF-κB. This information may help in understanding the mechanism of pathogenesis of HIV-1 during M. tuberculosis co-infection.
Evaluation of transdermal fentanyl patches for analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate efficacy and safety of using transdermal fentanyl patches (TFP) for analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 45 client-owned cats weighing > or = 2.7 kg (5.9 lb) undergoing onychectomy, onychectomy and ovariohysterectomy, or onychectomy and castration. PROCEDURE Cats were randomly assigned to be treated with a TFP (25 micrograms/h) or butorphanol; TFP were applied a minimum of 4 hours before surgery (approx 8 hours prior to extubation). Rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, force applied by the forelimbs, and serum fentanyl concentration were measured, and temperament, recovery, degree of sedation, severity of pain, severity of lameness, and appetite were scored before and periodically for up to 40 hours after surgery. RESULTS Cats treated with a TFP had better recovery scores at 2 of 4 evaluation times, lower sedation scores at 2 of 8 evaluation times, and lower pain scores at 6 of 8 evaluation times, compared with cats treated with butorphanol. Use of a pressure-sensitive mat to evaluate force applied by the forelimbs did not reveal any differences between groups but did reveal a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative values. Mean +/- SD serum fentanyl concentrations were 1.56 +/- 1.08, 4.85 +/- 2.38, 4.87 +/- 1.56, and 4.35 +/- 2.97 ng/ml approximately 8, 24, 32, and 48 hours, respectively, after TFP placement. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that use of a TFP (25 micrograms/h) for postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy with or without surgical sterilization is safe and effective.
Survivin-miRNA-loaded nanoparticles as auxiliary tools for radiation therapy: preparation, characterisation, drug release, cytotoxicity and therapeutic effect on colorectal cancer cells

One of the main challenges in radiation oncology is to overcome the resistance of cancer cells against treatment by molecular targeted approaches. Among the most promising targets is the inhibitor of apoptosis protein survivin, known to be associated with increased tumour aggressiveness and therapy resistance. The objective of this study was the development of a human serum albumin-based nanoparticulate carrier system for plasmid-mediated RNA interference (miRNA) and the investigation of its in vitro efficacy on survivin knockdown and cellular toxicity in SW480 colorectal cancer cells. The results demonstrate a robust nanoparticulate system of a size around 220 nm with a plasmid incorporation efficacy of about 90%. Moreover, treatment of carcinoma cells with survivin-miRNA nanoparticles resulted in reduction of survivin expression by 50% and increased cytotoxicity if combined with ionising irradiation. These nanoparticles comprise a promising option to enhance the response of carcinoma cells to therapy with ionising irradiation.
SCRIPT: a framework for scenario-driven prototyping

The SCRIPT framework defines a novel meta model for scenarios and prototypes in order to keep them consistent when developed in parallel. The resulting models can be used for model based development activities like use case specification and identification of analysis model elements. A controlled experiment was conducted, which shows that the SCRIPT framework ensures significantly better consistency of scenarios and prototypes compared with traditional uncoupled usage.
FREQUENCY AND UNDERLYING FACTORS OF MYOPIA AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Introduction: Refractive error may be defined as a state in which the optical system of the nonaccommodating eye fails to bring parallel rays of light to focus on the retina. Especially myopia has become a very common problem. Myopia is a refractive error in which eye fails to see distant objects properly. Objectives: To estimate the frequency of myopia among MBBS students of AIMC; to point out the under lying factors of myopia; and to compare these factors among myopics and emmetropes in a Cross Sectional Comparative, study form March 2010 to September 2010. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and two (202) students from all the five M.B. B.S classes were examined. Around 40 students were selected from each class by systematic random sampling technique, their visual acuity was checked using Snellen’s Chart and Diopters were checked in Eye Deptt. To assess factors a semi-structured questionnaire was filled by the interviewer. Results: Frequency of myopia was observed as 57.6%. Mean refractive error was -2.12D. A total of 61% of females and 51.5% of males were myopic. First and second year students had greater percentage of myopia with 61.1%. Out of 117 myopic students, 71 (60.7%) had positive family history of myopia, whereas 22 (18.8%) did not. (p = 0.000003). The mean reading hours per day of myopics were 3.31, while others had an average of 3.60 hours daily. Difference between daily time spent on writing activity by myopics and non-myopics was insignificant (p = 0.544). The myopics watched television for an average of 2.24 hours daily and the non-myopics had a mean of 2.71 hours of watching television daily. Similarly, our study did not show any significant statistical relationship between working on computer, sleeping habits of students and amount of physical exercise done daily (p = 0.266, 0.968 and 0.305 respectively). Dietary factors did not show any significant relationship with myopia. Conclusion: Prevalence of myopia was high among AIMC students (57.6%). 1 st and 2nd year students had greater percentage indicating that it is increasing in the younger age group. Significance of genetic predisposition was well appreciated in our study.
Finding sensitive sensor positions under faulty condition of reciprocating air compressors

A computer based data acquisition (DAQ) system plays an important role in Health Monitoring of any machine. Health Monitoring of a reciprocating air compressor using a computer based DAQ system and timely identification of potential faults can prevent failures. In this paper we have employed a graphical user interface for data acquisition that allows flexible acquisition and processing of analog and digital data. The first stage of Health Monitoring procedure is dedicated to collection of all necessary information about the machine. Our research is focused for finding sensitive positions. Also we have compared sensitive positions under healthy condition with the faulty condition.
Activation of endogenous type I IFN signaling contributes to persistent HCV infection

HCV infection is a major world health problem, leading to both end‐stage liver disease and primary liver cancer. Great efforts have been made in developing new therapies for HCV infection; however, combination therapy with pegylated IFN‐α and ribavirin (pegIFN‐RBV) remains the first choice of treatment for chronic HCV infection in most countries. The treatment response to pegIFN‐RBV remains relatively low. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of persistent HCV infection and pegIFN‐RBV resistance will suggest ways of improving the current standard of care and offers new antiviral therapies for both HCV and other viral infections. Recent data suggest that increased expression of hepatic IFN‐stimulated genes (ISGs) before treatment is associated with treatment nonresponse in patients chronically infected with HCV. Although ISGs are generally antiviral in nature, in the case of HCV, the virus may exploit some of them to its benefit. This is not unique to HCV: Blockade of type I IFN signaling has been shown to control persistent LCMV infection. Thus, in certain viral infections, preactivation or overactivation of type I IFN signaling may contribute to viral persistence. In this review, we briefly summarize the findings from high‐throughput gene expression profiling from patients chronically infected with HCV, then focus on a novel ubiquitin‐like signaling pathway (ISG15/USP18) and its potential role in HCV persistence. Finally, the role of activation of endogenous type I IFN signaling in persistent HCV infection will be discussed in the context of recent studies indicating that blocking IFN signaling controls persistent LCMV infection. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomonitoring of Industrial Pollutants: Health and Policy Implications of the Chemical Body Burden

Biomonitoring of industrial chemicals in human tissues and fluids has shown that all people, not just those working in or living near major pollution sources, carry a “body burden” of synthetic chemicals in their blood, fat, mother’s milk, semen, urine, and breath. In March of 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented its National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, the first of a planned series of annual studies of the types and amounts of industrial chemicals that Americans have in their blood and urine.1 An immense chemical industry that grew rapidly after World War II provides materials now used in virtually every sector of commerce and in every home in the United States. More than 70,000 individual industrial chemicals are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for commercial use; of these, some 15,000 are nonpolymeric chemicals produced in quantities greater than 10,000 pounds per year, and 3,000 to 4,000 have production volumes over one million pounds annually.2 Only a very small fraction of these substances has been characterized for biological activity or human toxicity.3 Meanwhile, an average of 2,300 new chemicals are introduced onto the market each year.4 Several classes of chemicals, including the organochlorines and heavy metals, are the object of considerable public health and regulatory concern because of their tendency to persist in the environment, bioaccumulate and bioconcentrate in food webs, and disrupt biological processes at low doses. Residues of industrial chemicals can now be found in air, soil, water, and food webs in the most remote reaches of the planet.5,6 All humans are now exposed to synthetic pollutants in drinking water, air, and the food supply,7,8 as well as in consumer products and home pesticides.9,10 Some of these chemicals resist metabolism and excretion and therefore accumulate in body tissues. The quantity of an exogenous substance or its metabolites that accumulates in an individual or population is defined as a “body burden. ” The toxicology of individual industrial chemicals is covered in textbooks11,12 and in government Joseph W. Thornton, PhDa Michael McCally, MD, PhDb Jane Houlihan, MSc
Morphological analysis of external urethral and external anal sphincter motoneurones of cat

A previous electrophysiological study suggested that there is a common correlation among axonal conduction velocity, input resistance, and size of motoneurones regardless of the muscle type innervated by a motoneurone and that the dendritic arborization is less developed in sphincter than in hindlimb motoneurones. To verify the previous suggestions, cell bodies, axons, and dendrites of external urethral sphincter (EUS) and external anal sphincter (EAS) motoneurones were studied after intracellular labelling with horseradish peroxidase in cats anaesthetised with pentobarbitone. All the cell bodies were located in Onuf's nucleus. The soma diameter (19.7–50.0 μm) was positively correlated with the axonal conduction velocity, and the plots of these two variables were extrapolations from similar plots obtained for hindlimb α‐motoneurones, supporting the suggestion of the preceding report. Half of motoneurones had recurrent axon collaterals, which terminated within Onuf's nucleus and the ventral border of lamina VIII. The diameter of the cell body with collaterals was significantly larger than that without collaterals. Dendrites extended in five directions: dorsal, medial, lateral, rostral, and caudal. Dorsally directed dendrites of both EUS and EAS motoneurones coursed in lamina VII toward the intermediolateral nucleus, and dendrites of EAS motoneurones further extended toward the intermediomedial nucleus. Long dendrites directed rostrally or caudally within Onuf's nucleus, more prominently in EUS motoneurones. EAS motoneurones had longer end branches and relatively larger number of end branches and summed length and surface area of a dendrite compared with EUS. Among relations, the dendritic surface area and the dendritic volume were tightly correlated with the diameter of the first‐order dendrite. The latter relation was almost identical between EUS, EAS, and hindlimb α‐ and γ‐motoneurones. The large values for the dendritic‐to‐soma surface area ratio (31 in EUS, 50 in EAS) indicated the well‐developed dendritic arborization comparable to hindlimb motoneurones. The ratio of sum Σ(daughter diameter)3/2 to the 3/2 power of the parent diameter was 0.99 in EUS and 1.08 in EAS motoneurones, indicating that the 3/2 power constraint at branching points is well satisfied, and Rall's equivalent‐cylinder model is applicable to sphincter motoneurones. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transient Entrainment and Interruption of Ventricular Tachycardia

The effects on spontaneously occurring ventricular tachycardia of rapidly pacing the right ventricle at rates faster than the rate of the ventricular tachycardia were studied during 10 episodes in seven patients. In three episodes, ventricular pacing interrupted the ventricular tachycardia at the initial pacing rate (111%, 114%, and 119% of the ventricular tachycardia rate, respectively). In seven episodes, the initial pacing rate failed to interrupt the ventricular tachycardia. In six of those seven episodes, the ventricular tachycardia was transiently entrained to the faster pacing rates, in one of those seven episodes, transient entrainment of the ventricular tachycardia could not be distinguished from overdrive suppression. In all seven episodes, the tachycardia was Jater interrupted by pacing at more rapid rates. The successful pacing rate ranged from 111–141% (mean 125%) of the spontaneous ventricular tachycardia rate. It is concluded that when utilizing rapid ventricular pacing to interrupt ventricular tachycardia, a critical pacing rate may be required before interruption is achieved. Pacing at rates slower than the critical rate but faster than the spontaneous ventricular tachycardia rate may only transiently entrain the ventricular tachycardia to the pacing rate without interrupting it. During the period of transient entrainment, fusion QRS complexes are likely to be present.
Purification and Characterization ofN-Acetylgalactosamine 4-Sulfate 6-O-Sulfotransferase from the Squid Cartilage*

N-Acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase (GalNAc4S-6ST), which transfers sulfate from 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) to position 6 of N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate in chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate, was purified 19,600-fold to apparent homogeneity from the squid cartilage. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme showed a broad protein band with a molecular mass of 63 kDa. The protein band coeluted with GalNAc4S-6ST activity from Toyopearl HW-55 around the position of 66 kDa, indicating that the active form of GalNAc4S-6ST may be a monomer. The purified enzyme transferred sulfate from PAPS to chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate C, and dermatan sulfate. The transfer of sulfate to chondroitin sulfate A and dermatan sulfate occurred mainly at position 6 of the internal N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate residues. Chondroitin sulfate E, keratan sulfate, heparan sulfate, and completely desulfated N-resulfated heparin were not efficient acceptors of the sulfotransferase. When a trisaccharide or a pentasaccharide having sulfate groups at position 4 ofN-acetylgalactosamine was used as acceptor, efficient sulfation of position 6 at the nonreducing terminalN-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate residue was observed.
The Host Response to Listeria monocytogenes Mutants Defective in Genes Encoding Phospholipases C (plcA, plcB) and Actin Assembly (actA)

Several genes involved in the determination of Listeria monocytogenes pathogenesis have been identified. Among them, plcA gene encodes phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C (PI‐PLC), plcB gene encodes a broad‐range phospholipase C (PC‐PLC), and actA encodes a protein contributing to actin assembly in infected cells. The interaction of L. monocytogenes wild type (LO 28) strain and two derivative mutants, plcA− (BUG 206) and actA−/plcB− (LUT 12), with macrophages and T lymphocytes was investigated in a mouse model of listeriosis. Both mutants showed evidence of attenuation. The plcA− mutant, but not the plcB− mutant, expressed an increase in susceptibility to the anti‐listerial activity of macrophages. Both mutants showed a decreased ability to induce IL‐12 production by bone marrow macrophages when co‐stimulated with E. coli LPS or IFN‐γ. In vivo, L. monocytogenes plcA− mutant was found to be a more effective stimulator of T cells than the wild LO 28 strain.
Th17 cells promote pancreatic inflammation but only induce diabetes efficiently in lymphopenic hosts after conversion into Th1 cells

IDDM is characterized by leukocyte invasion to the pancreatic tissues followed by immune destruction of the islets. Despite the important function of Th17 cells in other autoimmune disease models, their function in IDDM is relatively unclear. In this study, we found association of elevated Th17 cytokine expression with diabetes in NOD mice. To understand the function of Th17 cells in IDDM, we differentiated islet‐reactive BDC2.5 TcR transgenic CD4+ cells in vitro into Th17 cells and transferred them into NOD.scid and neonate NOD mice. NOD.scid recipient mice developed rapid onset of diabetes with extensive insulitic lesions, whereas in newborn NOD mice, despite extensive insulitis, most recipient mice did not develop diabetes. Surprisingly, BDC2.5+ cells recovered from diabetic NOD.scid mice, in comparison with those from neonate NOD mice, showed predominant IFN‐γ over IL‐17 expression, indicating conversion of donor cells into Th1 cells. Moreover, diabetes progression in NOD.scid recipients was dependent on IFN‐γ while anti‐IL‐17 treatment reduced insulitic inflammation. These results indicate that islet‐reactive Th17 cells promote pancreatic inflammation, but only induce IDDM upon conversion into IFN‐γ producers.