Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a Miniaturized Patch Antenna with Reverse U-Shaped Slots for 2.45/5.8 GHz RFID Applications

In this paper, a dual-band antenna for reader of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) applications is proposed, which operates at 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz. This antenna is excited by a 50Ω microstrip feed line, fabricated on Rogers RT/duroid 5880 substrate with dimensions 33x25 mm, dielectric constant of 0.0009 and thickness of 1.6 mm. The main objective of the slots U-shape inverse included on the front side of antenna is to get a dual-band frequency (2.45-5.8 GHz) and improve radiation characteristics in term of gain, reflection coefficient. The structure design, optimization and simulation results analysis were performed under simulator electromagnetic HFSS (high-frequency structure simulator), and focused on the return loss, bandwidth, gain and directivity. The proposed antenna has a simple design and a miniaturized size compared to the patch antenna. It exhibits broadband impedance matching, consistent omnidirectional radiation patterns and appropriate gain characteristics in the applications of RFID. Keywords— Antenna; RFID (Radio Frequency Identification); slots; U-shape inverse; dual-band; HFSS
Reliability and Validity of Arabic Translation of Child Sexual Abuse Questionnaire for Use in Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT Child Sexual Abuse Questionnaire was developed to assess Child Sexual Victimization experiences, and the associated characteristics and circumstances. The aim of the study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Arabic Child Sexual Abuse Questionnaire (CSAQ) in a sample of Egyptian children. The original CSAQ-English was translated into Arabic based on the established guidelines. Then, a cross-sectional study was carried out on a group of 150 male and female Egyptian children aging 8–14 years to test the translated questionnaire for validity and reliability. The Statistical analysis was performed to internal consistency, Item-Total correlation, as well as Inter-Item correlation. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient to assess internal consistency was found to be satisfactory, 0.88 and 0.89 for CSA without physical contact items and CSA with physical contact items, respectively. The item-total correlations were found to be within r = . 234; P = . 004 to r = . 927; P = <0.001, while Inter-item correlations ranged from 0.125 to 0.928. The CSAQ-Arabic version is a reliable and valid tool that can be used by researchers in clinical practice to measure sexual victimization experiences in Arabic-speaking children based on the content and face validation together with a good internal reliability.
Dielectric resonator based MIMO antenna system enabling millimetre-wave mobile devices

In this study, a millimetre-wave dielectric resonator (DR)-based multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system based on two linear arrays is presented. Each array that represents a single MIMO antenna consists of four cylindrical DR antenna (cDRA) elements operating at 30 GHz with a bandwidth of at least 1 GHz. Each array is designed with a fixed beam direction which is tilted to provide low field correlation. A passive microstrip-based feed network was designed to achieve this beam tilting enabling suitable magnitude and phase excitation of the individual cDRAs for radiation. The complete antenna system was designed on a two-layer substrate occupying 48 mm × 21 mm. Excellent field correlation values were measured (below 0.002) across the band of operation while peak gains were >7 dBi. High radiation efficiency is obtained. The proposed design approach for beam tilting, which enables MIMO operation, may also be useful for other compact implementations to support 5G communications.
E. coli biofilm formation and its susceptibility towards T4 bacteriophages studied in a continuously operating mixing – tubular bioreactor system

A system consisting of a connected mixed and tubular bioreactor was designed to study bacterial biofilm formation and the effect of its exposure to bacteriophages under different experimental conditions. The bacterial biofilm inside silicone tubular bioreactor was formed during the continuous pumping of bacterial cells at a constant physiological state for 2 h and subsequent washing with a buffer for 24 h. Monitoring bacterial and bacteriophage concentration along the tubular bioreactor was performed via a piercing method. The presence of biofilm and planktonic cells was demonstrated by combining the piercing method, measurement of planktonic cell concentration at the tubular bioreactor outlet, and optical microscopy. The planktonic cell formation rate was found to be 8.95 × 10−3 h−1 and increased approximately four‐fold (4×) after biofilm exposure to an LB medium. Exposure of bacterial biofilm to bacteriophages in the LB medium resulted in a rapid decrease of biofilm and planktonic cell concentration, to below the detection limit within < 2 h. When bacteriophages were supplied in the buffer, only a moderate decrease in the concentration of both bacterial cell types was observed. After biofilm washing with buffer to remove unadsorbed bacteriophages, its exposure to the LB medium (without bacteriophages) resulted in a rapid decrease in bacterial concentration: again below the detection limit in < 2 h.
Ontogeny of a tessellated surface: Carapace growth of the longhorn cowfish Lactoria cornuta

Biological armors derive their mechanical integrity in part from their geometric architectures, often involving tessellations: individual structural elements tiled together to form surface shells. The carapace of boxfish, for example, is composed of mineralized polygonal plates, called scutes, arranged in a complex geometric pattern and nearly completely encasing the body. In contrast to artificial armors, the boxfish exoskeleton grows with the fish; the relationship between the tessellation and the gross structure of the armor is therefore critical to sustained protection throughout growth. To clarify whether or how the boxfish tessellation is maintained or altered with age, we quantify architectural aspects of the tessellated carapace of the longhorn cowfish Lactoria cornuta through ontogeny (across nearly an order of magnitude in standard length) and in a high‐throughput fashion, using high‐resolution microCT data and segmentation algorithms to characterize the hundreds of scutes that cover each individual. We show that carapace growth is canalized with little variability across individuals: rather than continually adding scutes to enlarge the carapace surface, the number of scutes is surprisingly constant, with scutes increasing in volume, thickness, and especially width with age. As cowfish and their scutes grow, scutes become comparatively thinner, with the scutes at the edges (weak points in a boxy architecture) being some of the thickest and most reinforced in younger animals and thinning most slowly across ontogeny. In contrast, smaller scutes with more variable curvature were found in the limited areas of more complex topology (e.g., around fin insertions, mouth, and anus). Measurements of Gaussian and mean curvature illustrate that cowfish are essentially tessellated boxes throughout life: predominantly zero curvature surfaces comprised of mostly flat scutes, and with scutes with sharp bends used sparingly to form box edges. Since growth of a curved, tiled surface with a fixed number of tiles would require tile restructuring to accommodate the surface's changing radius of curvature, our results therefore illustrate a previously unappreciated advantage of the odd boxfish morphology: by having predominantly flat surfaces, it is the box‐like body form that in fact permits a relatively straightforward growth system of this tessellated architecture (i.e., where material is added to scute edges). Our characterization of the ontogeny and maintenance of the carapace tessellation provides insights into the potentially conflicting mechanical, geometric, and developmental constraints of this species but also perspectives into natural strategies for constructing mutable tiled architectures.
Acneiform rash as a side effect of selumetinib in a child with neurofibromatosis type 1 treated for inoperable plexiform neurofibromas: Good results with doxycycline

Selumetinib is a second-generation Adenosine TriPhosphate-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 and 2 inhibitor reported to induce a ≥20% size-reduction of inoperable plexiform neurofibromas in children and adolescents with NF type 1. We hereby report a case of cutaneous side effects in a child treated with selumetinib for inoperable PNs. Considering the crucial role of selumetinib in reducing PNs development, this drug could have a more widespread use in pediatric patients in the near future. It is important to highlight that the most common cutaneous effects can be promptly recognized and easily treated, thus not affecting the continuation of treatment nor limiting the dosage, even in children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Determining the Readiness of Automated Driving Systems for Public Operation: Development of Behavioral Competency Requirements

Automated driving systems (ADSs) present several challenges to the existing regulatory framework for road vehicles at both the national and the state level. NHTSA has been primarily responsible for automotive safety, and states have been responsible for the regulations that govern vehicle registration and the training, evaluation, and licensing of drivers. Regulatory development has been further complicated by NHTSA’s deciding to proceed cautiously and deliberatively, and several state legislatures have pushed for the rapid adoption of state regulations in advance of federal regulations. One of the key challenges in this process has been balancing the need to protect public safety without federal or industry standards, while still encouraging an innovation in technology that could ultimately lead to large improvements in transportation safety, efficiency, and convenience. This paper provides an update on the progress and ongoing challenges in developing regulations for the deployment of ADSs to the public in the state of California. In prior work, the authors postulated that ADS safety would depend on both behavioral competency and functional safety. The focus of this paper is to expand on the method used and the results of the authors’ earlier work to establish minimum behavioral competency requirements for ADSs to be deployed on public roads. The behavioral competencies described in this paper provide a starting point for specifying the minimum ADS performance requirements and the testing procedures needed to verify that those requirements have been met.
Palovarotene inhibits the NF‐κB signalling pathway to prevent heterotopic ossification

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common disease characterized by pain, dysfunction and calcification. The mechanisms underlying HO have not been completely elucidated. Palovarotene, a retinoic acid receptor γ agonist, significantly inhibits the formation of HO in vivo. However, its specific mechanism of action remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the signalling pathways related to the formation of HO as well as the mechanism of palovarotene action. We constructed in vitro and in vivo models of HO. Osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was observed by alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase staining assays in vitro. X‐ray and haematoxylin–eosin staining were performed in vivo. Western blots and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine the levels of osteogenic‐ and inflammation‐related genes. Immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry were used to assess the levels of p65, the core molecule of the nuclear factor κ‐B (NF‐κB) signalling pathway. We demonstrated that, in vitro, under inflammatory stimulation, pathological calcium deposition increased in BMSCs. The levels of osteogenesis‐ and inflammation‐related genes were also upregulated, along with an enhanced expression of p65. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that p65 entered the nucleus, thereby stimulating the downstream effectors of the NF‐κB pathway. The above trends were reversed after palovarotene treatment. In conclusion, the NF‐κB signalling pathway played an important role in HO, and palovarotene could alleviate HO by blocking the NF‐κB cascade. Our results may provide a theoretical basis for palovarotene in the treatment of HO. Further studies on the side effects of palovarotene are warranted in the future.
Prevalence and diversity of small rodent-associated Bartonella species in Shangdang Basin, China

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Shangdang Basin, China. Small rodents were captured using snap traps, and their liver, spleen, and kidney tissues were harvested for Bartonella detection and identification using a combination of real-time PCR of the ssrA gene (296 bp) and conventional PCR and sequencing of the gltA gene (379 bp). Results showed that 55 of 147 small rodents to be positive for Bartonella, with a positivity rate of 37.41%, and 95% confidence interval of 29.50%- 45.33%. While the positivity rate across genders (42.62% in males and 33.72% in females, χ2 = 1.208, P = 0.272) and tissues (28.57% in liver, 33.59% in spleen, and 36.76% in kidney, χ2 = 2.197, P = 0.333) of small rodents was not statistically different, that in different habitats (5.13% in villages, 84.44% in forests, and 54.17% in farmlands, χ2 = 80.105, P<0.001) was statistically different. There were 42 Bartonella sequences identified in six species, including 30 B. grahamii, three B. phoceensis, two B. japonica, two B. queenslandensis, one B. fuyuanensis and four unknown Bartonella species from Niviventer confucianus, Apodemus agrarius and Tscherskia triton. In addition to habitat, Bartonella species infection could be affected by the rodent species as well. Among the Bartonella species detected in this area, B. grahamii was the dominant epidemic species (accounting for 71.43%). B. grahamii exhibited four distinct clusters, and showed a certain host specificity. In addition, 11 haplotypes of B. grahamii were observed using DNASP 6.12. 03, among which nine haplotypes were novel. Overall, high occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella were observed among small rodents in the Shangdang Basin; this information could potentially help the prevention and control of rodent-Bartonella species in this area.
An international survey of assessment and treatment practice for discourse in paediatric Acquired Brain Injury

Abstract Purpose Guidelines recommend routine discourse assessment and treatment in paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) but provide little guidance for clinical practice. The degree to which this has influenced the nature of discourse assessment and treatment in clinical practice has not been examined in detail. Method Speech-language pathologists working in paediatric ABI (clients aged <18 years) in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, and the Asia Pacific region were invited to complete a survey of discourse assessment and intervention practices (n = 77). Result Clinicians from Australia and New Zealand comprised over half of a responses (53%). The largest proportion had over 10 years’ experience (60%), worked in the metropolitan area (58%), and with secondary school-age children (64%). Routine discourse assessment was undertaken by 80% of respondents, focussing on a limited range of genres. No preferred intervention approach was identified. One-quarter of clinicians routinely considered holistic factors during clinical decision-making. Limited normative data and treatment evidence, insufficient time and training were identified as clinical barriers. Conclusion Assessment practices were consistent with guidelines, yet interventions were highly variable, reflecting limited evidence, client heterogeneity, time constraints, and limited training. A biopsychosocial approach to practice was evident, yet a focus on impairment level factors was prominent. Findings support the need for standardised discourse assessment and discourse intervention methods. Translation into practice guidelines would promote consistency and confidence in clinical practice.
Risk factors and incidence of cytomegalovirus viremia and disease in pediatric patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: An 8‐year single‐center experience in Latin America

Cytomegalovirus infection represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of viremia and disease due to cytomegalovirus and the risk factors in pediatric patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in our institution.
A genome-wide functional genomics approach uncovers genetic determinants of immune phenotypes in type 1 diabetes

Background: The large inter-individual variability in immune-cell composition and function determines immune responses in general and susceptibility o immune-mediated diseases in particular. While much has been learned about the genetic variants relevant for type 1 diabetes (T1D), the pathophysiological mechanisms through which these variations exert their effects remain unknown. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 243 patients with T1D of Dutch descent. We applied genetic association analysis on >200 immune-cell traits and >100 cytokine production profiles in response to stimuli measured to identify genetic determinants of immune function, and compared the results obtained in T1D to healthy controls. Results: Genetic variants that determine susceptibility to T1D significantly affect T cell composition. Specifically, the CCR5+ regulatory T cells associate with T1D through the CCR region, suggesting a shared genetic regulation. Genome-wide quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping analysis of immune traits revealed 15 genetic loci that influence immune responses in T1D, including 12 that have never been reported in healthy population studies, implying a disease-specific genetic regulation. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the genetic factors that affect immunological responses in T1D. Funding: This work was supported by an ERC starting grant (no. 948207) and a Radboud University Medical Centre Hypatia grant (2018) to YL and an ERC advanced grant (no. 833247) and a Spinoza grant of the Netherlands Association for Scientific Research to MGN CT received funding from the Perspectief Biomarker Development Center Research Programme, which is (partly) financed by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). AJ was funded by a grant from the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD/AZ Macrovascular Programme 2015). XC was supported by the China Scholarship Council (201706040081).
How does anisometropia affect the choroidal vascularity index?

Purpose: To investigate the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and morphological features of the choroid in anisometropic amblyopia. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 39 patients with unilateral anisometropic amblyopic patients and 33 eyes of 33 healthy control participants were involved. These participants were examined in terms of axial length (AL), spherical equivalent (SE), central macular thickness (CMT), choroidal thickness (CT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), LA/SA ratio, and CVI. All parameters were compared between amblyopic eyes, healthy fellow eyes, and healthy control eyes. The Shapiro–Wilk tests, Chi-square test, the paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Pearson/Spearman correlation tests were used. Results: In the hyperopic patients; SE, subfoveal CT, nasal CT, temporal CT, TCA, LA, SA, and CMT were greater in amblyopic eyes than in healthy fellow eyes and control eyes (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively), and CVI, LA/SA ratio, and AL were smaller in amblyopic eyes than in healthy fellow eyes and control eyes ([P < 0.001, P = 0.006], P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). In the myopic patients, subfoveal CT, nasal CT, temporal CT, TCA, LA, SA values were statistically smaller in amblyopic eyes than in healthy eyes and control eyes ([P < 0.001, P = 0.002), [P = 0.004, P = 0.012], [P = 0.012, P = 0.032], [P < 0.001, P = 0.013], [P < 0.001, P = 0.024], and [P < 0.001, P = 0.047], respectively). The differences in the AL and choroidal parameters were due to myopia and hyperopia. Conclusion: The choroidal structural parameters of the amblyopic eyes were different from that of the healthy eyes.
Design of an optical pan-European transport network based on hierarchical rings

This paper describes work currently being undertaken as part of the ACTS OPEN Project. ACTS (Advanced Communications Technologies and Services) is the European Commission's major programme for supporting pre-competitive research and technological development in telecommunications and associated services. The paper first introduces the OPEN (optical pan-European network) project. It then describes the simulations carried out, and gives illustrative results with some concluding comments.
Assessment of face validity of a disease model of nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a multi-national Delphi panel study

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to assess the face validity of a disease model evaluating the cost-effectiveness of ataluren for the treatment of nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (nmDMD). Methods This was a Delphi panel study comprising of physicians with first-hand experience of ataluren for the treatment of nmDMD. Consensus was sought for previously unvalidated model data, including patient health status and quality of life measured using the Health Utility Index (HUI), mortality, informal caregiving, and the expected benefit of early ataluren treatment across four states: (1) ambulatory, (2) non-ambulatory, not yet requiring ventilation support, (3) non-ambulatory, night-time ventilation support, and (4) non-ambulatory, full-time ventilation support. Results Nine experts from five countries participated in the Delphi panel. Consensus was obtained for all questions after three panel rounds (except for two HUI-questions concerning hand function [dexterity]). Consensus HUI-derived utilities for state (1) were 1.0000 for ataluren on top of best supportive care (BSC) and 0.7337 for BSC alone. Corresponding estimates for state (2) were 0.3179 and 0.2672, for state (3) 0.1643 and 0.0913, and for state (4) −0.0732 and −0.1163. Consensus mortality rates for states (1), (2), and (3) were 4%, 13%, and 33%, and life expectancy in state (4) was agreed to be 3 years. Panelists further agreed that two informal caregivers typically provide day-to-day care/support to patients with nmDMD, and that starting treatment with ataluren at 2 versus 5 years of age would be expected to delay loss of ambulation by an additional 2 years, and initiation of night-time and full-time ventilation support by an additional 3 years, respectively. Limitations The main limitation concerns the size of the Delphi panel, govern primarily by the rarity of the disease. Conclusion This study confirms the face validity of key clinical parameters and assumptions underlying the ataluren cost-effectiveness model.