Isolation Enhancement between Indoor Repeater Antennas with Chip Resistor Embedded FSS

The isolation enhancement between the donor antenna and the service antenna for indoor repeater systems is presented by using a frequency-selective surface (FSS). A unit cell of the proposed FSS consists of a quarter-wavelength resonator, a chip resistor, an FR4 substrate, and a ground plane. Applying the unit cells of the proposed FSS embedded a chip resistor on the side walls of each reflector for indoor WCDMA repeater antennas and aligning them along with the cross-polarization of each antenna, the isolation is improved by about 13 dB at the WCDMA band

Flavonol glycosides from the aerial parts of Aceriphyllum rossii and their antioxidant activities

The methanol extract obtained from the aerial parts ofAceriphyllum rossii (Saxifragaceae) was fractionated into ethyl acetate (EtOAc),n-BuOH and H2O layers through solvent fractionation. Repeated silica gel column chromatography of EtOAc andn-BuOH layers afforded six flavonol glycosides. They were identified as kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (astragalin,1), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (isoquercitrin,2), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyrano-side (rutin,4), kaempferol 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (5) and quercetin 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (6) on the basis of several spectral data. The antioxidant activity of the six compounds was investigated using two free radicals such as the ABTS free radical and superoxide anion radical. Compound1 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in the ABTS2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging method. 100 mg/L of compound1 was equivalent to 72.1±1.4 mg/L of vitamin C, and those of compounds3 and5 were equivalent to 62.7±0.5 mg/L and 54.3±1.3 mg/L of vitamin C, respectively. And in the superoxide anion radical scavenging method, compound5 exhibited the highest activity with an IC50 value of 17.6 ± 0.3 μM. In addition, some physical and spectral data of the flavonoids were confirme

Development of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Human IRF-5 and Their Use in Identifying the Binding of IRF-5 to Nuclear Import Proteins Karyopherin-α1 and -β1

PURPOSE: IRF-5 is a direct transducer of virus-mediated and TLR-mediated signaling pathways for the expression of cytokines and chemokines which form homodimers or heterodimers with IRF-7. However, direct IRF-5-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are not available at present. These could be used to further evaluate the functions of IRF-5. In this study, we produced and characterized three mouse mAbs to human IRF-5. The binding of IRF-5 to nuclear import proteins was first identified using a mAb. MATERIALS AND METHODS: His-tagged human IRF-5 protein spanning amino acid residues 193-257 was used as an antigen and three mAbs were produced. The mAbs were tested with ELISA, Western blot analysis (WB), immunofluorescent staining (IF), and immunoprecipitation (IP). In addition, the nuclear import protein which carried phosphorylated IRF-5 was identified using one of these mAbs. RESULTS: MAbs 5IRF8, 5IRF10 and 5IRF24 which reacted with the recombinant His-IRF-5(193-257) protein were produced. All mAbs bound to human IRF-5, but not to IRF-3 or IRF-7. They could be used for WB, IF, and IP studies. The binding of phosphorylated IRF-5 to karyopherin-alpha1 and -beta1 was also identified. CONCLUSION: Human IRF-5-specific mAbs are produced for studying the immunologic roles related to IRF-5. Phosphorylated IRF-5 is transported to the nucleus by binding to nuclear import proteins karyopherin-alpha1 and -beta1.ope

Unilateral Trigeminal Mandibular Motor Neuropathy Caused by Tumor in the Foramen Ovale

Pure trigeminal motor neuropathy is characterized by trigeminal motor weakness without signs of trigeminal sensory or other cranial nerve involvement. We describe a 63-year-old woman with progressive weakness and atrophy of the left masticatory muscles. She had no sensory disturbance. The diagnosis of pure trigeminal motor neuropathy was made on the basis of clinical and electrophysiologic studies. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed enhancement of the enlarged mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve coursing through the left foramen ovale. Our observations suggest that pure trigeminal motor neuropathy can be induced by a tumor

COMPUTATIONAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF EFFECTS OF GUIDE VANES AND TIP CLEARANCES ON PERFORMANCES OF AXIAL FLOW FANS

ABSTRACT The effects of guide vanes and tip clearances on the characteristics of axial flow fans are investigated both computationally and experimentally. Performance test of fans carried out in full scale shows considerable effects of tip clearance between rotor tip and duct on the characteristics of fans. The tested results are compared with the computation based on the finite volume method to solve the Navier-Stoke equations with ε − k turbulence model. The comparison shows good agreements between experimental and computational results. In addition, the effects of shape of guide vanes are numerically studied. The results shows that increased volume of separated region around the guide vane reduces the recovery of tangential component of kinetic energy in the wake, resulting in loss of efficienc

A Sternum-Disk Distance Method to Identify the Skin Level for Approaching a Surgical Segment without Fluoroscopy Guidance during Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion

Study DesignA retrospective review of prospectively collected data.PurposeTo introduce the sternum-disk distance (SDD) method for approaching the exact surgical level without C-arm guidance during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery and to evaluate its accuracy and reliability.Overview of LiteratureAlthough spine surgeons have tried to optimize methods for identifying the skin level for accessing the operative disk level without C-arm guidance during ACDF, success has rarely been reported.MethodsIn total, 103 patients who underwent single-level ACDF surgery with the SDD method were enrolled. The primary outcome measure was the accuracy of the SDD method. The secondary outcome measures were the mean SDD value at each cervical level from the cranial margin of the sternum in the neutral and extension positions of the cervical spine and the inter- and intra-observer reliability of the SDD outcome determined using repeated measurements by three orthopedic spine surgeons.ResultsThe SDD accuracy (primary outcome measure) was indicated in 99% of the patients (102/103). The mean SDD values in the neutral-position magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were 108.8 mm at C3–C4, 85.3 mm at C4–C5, 64.4 mm at C5–C6, 44.3 mm at C6–C7, and 24.1 mm at C7–T1; and those in the extension-position MRI were 112.9 mm at C3–C4, 88.7 mm at C4–C5, 67.3 mm at C5–C6, 46.5 mm at C6–C7, and 24.3 mm at C7–T1. The Cohen kappa coefficient value for intra-observer reliability was 0.88 (excellent reliability), and the Fleiss kappa coefficient value for inter-observer reliability as reported by three surgeons was 0.89 (excellent reliability).ConclusionsBased on the results of the present study, we recommend performing ACDF surgery using the SDD method to determine the skin level for approaching the surgical cervical segment without fluoroscopic guidance

Expression of Epstein-Barr Virus Gene and Clonality of Infiltrated T Lymphocytes in Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Gastric Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is characterized by the intensive infiltration of lymphoid cells, the presence of EBV, and the better prognosis over typical adenocarcinoma. Thus, it was assumable that viral latent proteins may be responsible for the recruitment of a certain T cell repertoire to EBV-associated gastric carcinoma. METHODS: To examine above possibility, EBV gene expression in gastric carcinoma tissues and usage of TCR among the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: EBV specific DNA and EBERs RNA were detected in 4 out of 30 patients. RT-PCR analysis revealed that all 4 of EBV-positive tumor tissues expressed EBNA1 mRNA and BARTs and LMP2a was detected only one sample out of 4. However, the EBNA2 and LMP-1 transcripts were not detected in these tissues. CD8(+) T cells were the predominant population of infiltrating lymphocytes in the EBV-positive gastric carcinoma. According to spectra type analysis of infiltrating T cells, 10 predominant bands were detected by TCR Vβ CDR3 specific RT-PCR from 4 EBV-positive tumor tissues. Sequence analysis of these bands revealed oligoclonal expansion of T cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that clonally expanded T cells in vivo might be a population of cytotoxic T cells reactive to EBV-associated gastric carcinoma.ope

Clinical Features of Probable Cluster Headache: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study

Background: Epidemiological data of probable cluster headaches (CH) are scarce in the relevant literature. Here, we sought to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of probable CH in comparison with definite CH.Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from the Korean Cluster Headache Registry (KCHR), a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter headache registry that collected data from consecutive patients diagnosed with CH.Results: In total, 159 patients were enrolled in this study; 20 (12.6%) were diagnosed with probable CH. The most common unfulfilled criterion in patients with probable CH was the duration of attack, which was found in 40% of patients with probable CH. Among clinical characteristics, the number of autonomic symptoms tended to be lower in probable CH than in definite CH (1.7 ± 1.2 vs. 2.4 ± 1.5, p = 0.051) and conjunctival injection and lacrimation showed an increased odds ratio (OR) [OR = 3.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–8.33] in definite CH. The groups did not differ with regard to baseline demographic characteristics, disability, impact on life, or treatment response.Conclusions: Probable CH is relatively common among CH disorders, with a clinical impact similar to that of definite CH

Three essays on the sustainable macroeconomic policies

We examine the sustainability of fiscal policy in terms of linearity vs. non-linearity of fiscal reaction function, and especially the semi-parametric approaches are employed. Moreover, the threshold of fiscal policy regime switches and the interaction between monetary and fiscal policies are also investigated. Finally, we analyze the determinants of the government arears and delayed payment including institutional and cultural variables. In Chapter 1, we investigate how the fiscal reaction function is shaped regarding linearity and non-linearity to see if the government exhibits the phenomenon of fiscal fatigue and the existence of debt limit. We newly apply the semi-parametric approaches to 125 advanced and developing countries panel data which is divided into three sub-samples (i.e., low-; middle-; high-income countries). We find that low-income countries have non-linear quadratic functional form, and the high-income countries show non-linear cubic functional relationship. In contrast, the middle-income countries mildly take on linear functional form but have insignificant results. This implies that there is an empirical evidence of fiscal fatigue and debt limit at least among low- and high-income countries. This results are confirmed by traditional parametric approaches. In Chapter 2, by applying GMM estimation to the quarterly data of the U.S. of 1980-2014, regarding fiscal policy, we find that there is the endogenous threshold at which the government switches from active fiscal policy to passive one. In addition, an increase in policy interest rate decreases the threshold. Meanwhile, at low debt level, an increase in policy interest rate is found to increase primary deficit, but as debt grows sufficiently, a rise in policy interest rate decreases deficit. On the contrary, inflation rate decreases deficit, while, as debt increases enough, an increase in inflation rate induces the government to let spending and deficit to rise. Regarding monetary policy, we show that higher level of government debt tends to lead the central bank to raise policy interest rate. But, primary deficit has ambiguous effect on policy interest rate. In Chapter 3, from the data of 27 European countries during 1990-2012, we find that the government debt, and the voice and accountability increase the share of arrears, while the natural logarithm of GDP, the government bond rate, the political stability and non-violence, and the rule of law decrease it. In addition, the same determinants of the share of arrears have exactly the opposite effects on the share of acceptable delayed payment. Finally, the government debt and the openness have positive effects on the share of delayed payment, whereas the political stability and non-violence has a negative effect on the share of delayed payment

Three essays on the sustainable macroeconomic policies

We examine the sustainability of fiscal policy in terms of linearity vs. non-linearity of fiscal reaction function, and especially the semi-parametric approaches are employed. Moreover, the threshold of fiscal policy regime switches and the interaction between monetary and fiscal policies are also investigated. Finally, we analyze the determinants of the government arears and delayed payment including institutional and cultural variables. In Chapter 1, we investigate how the fiscal reaction function is shaped regarding linearity and non-linearity to see if the government exhibits the phenomenon of fiscal fatigue and the existence of debt limit. We newly apply the semi-parametric approaches to 125 advanced and developing countries panel data which is divided into three sub-samples (i.e., low-; middle-; high-income countries). We find that low-income countries have non-linear quadratic functional form, and the high-income countries show non-linear cubic functional relationship. In contrast, the middle-income countries mildly take on linear functional form but have insignificant results. This implies that there is an empirical evidence of fiscal fatigue and debt limit at least among low- and high-income countries. This results are confirmed by traditional parametric approaches. In Chapter 2, by applying GMM estimation to the quarterly data of the U.S. of 1980-2014, regarding fiscal policy, we find that there is the endogenous threshold at which the government switches from active fiscal policy to passive one. In addition, an increase in policy interest rate decreases the threshold. Meanwhile, at low debt level, an increase in policy interest rate is found to increase primary deficit, but as debt grows sufficiently, a rise in policy interest rate decreases deficit. On the contrary, inflation rate decreases deficit, while, as debt increases enough, an increase in inflation rate induces the government to let spending and deficit to rise. Regarding monetary policy, we show that higher level of government debt tends to lead the central bank to raise policy interest rate. But, primary deficit has ambiguous effect on policy interest rate. In Chapter 3, from the data of 27 European countries during 1990-2012, we find that the government debt, and the voice and accountability increase the share of arrears, while the natural logarithm of GDP, the government bond rate, the political stability and non-violence, and the rule of law decrease it. In addition, the same determinants of the share of arrears have exactly the opposite effects on the share of acceptable delayed payment. Finally, the government debt and the openness have positive effects on the share of delayed payment, whereas the political stability and non-violence has a negative effect on the share of delayed payment