An Electronically Reconfigurable Patch Antenna Design for Polarization Diversity with Fixed Resonant Frequency

In this paper, an electronically polarization reconfigurable circular patch antenna with fixed resonant frequency operating at Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) frequency band (2.4-2.48 GHz) is presented. The structure of the proposed design consists of a circular patch as a radiating element fed by coaxial probe, cooperated with four equal-length slits etched on the edge along x-axis and y-axis. A total of four switches was used and embedded across the slits at specific locations, thus controlled the length of the slits. By activating and deactivating the switches (ON and OFF) across the slits, the current on the patch is changed, thus modifying the electric field and polarization of the antenna. Consequently, the polarization excited by the proposed antenna can be switched into three types, either linear polarization, left-hand circular polarization or right-hand circular polarization. This paper proposes a simple approach that able to switch the polarizations and excited at the same operating frequency. Simulated and measured results of ideal case (using copper strip switches) and real case (using PIN diode switches) are compared and presented to demonstrate the performance of the antenna

Livestock Production and Economic Implications from Augmenting Degraded Rangeland with \u3ci\u3eAtriplex halimus\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eSalsola vermiculata\u3c/i\u3e in Northwest Syria

Three stocking rates (low: one sheep 2.25 ha-1, medium: one sheep 1.5 ha-1 year-1 and high: one sheep 0.75 ha-1 year-1) were studied for 7 seasons (1990/91-1996/97) on native range and on pasture over sown with fodder shrubs at Maragha, northwest Syria. There were 8 Awassi sheep in each stocking rate treatment, and the treatments were replicated 3 times in fenced paddocks. Milk yield, lamb production, live weight and supplementary feeding of the sheep were monitored. The results showed significantly higher forage availability on the range over-sown with fodder shrubs by 82% and 41% in the medium and high rainfall seasons, respectively and by 142% and 379% in the average and low rainfall seasons, compared with the native pasture. The total energy used in the supplementary feed was greater under the native pasture than that in the shrub-sown pasture in 5 out of 7 seasons, while crude protein consumption was greater in the native pasture than on the shrub-sown pasture in all 7 seasons. Milk production and lamb body mass were higher on shrub-sown pasture than those in native pasture in 4 and 6 out the 7 seasons, respectively. Benefits obtained from reduced feed costs, extra milk and lamb sales were higher on shrub-sown pasture than those in the native pasture in 5 out of the 7 seasons. Total benefits measured over the entire study period were highest under the high stocking rate, reaching about 77 US $ ha-1. We concluded that shrub plantation in west Asia could safely be utilized at stocking rate of one sheep 0.75 ha-1 year-1 for the benefits of the pasture and users

Utilising semantic technologies for intelligent indexing and retrieval of digital images

The proliferation of digital media has led to a huge interest in classifying and indexing media objects for generic search and usage. In particular, we are witnessing colossal growth in digital image repositories that are difficult to navigate using free-text search mechanisms, which often return inaccurate matches as they in principle rely on statistical analysis of query keyword recurrence in the image annotation or surrounding text. In this paper we present a semantically-enabled image annotation and retrieval engine that is designed to satisfy the requirements of the commercial image collections market in terms of both accuracy and efficiency of the retrieval process. Our search engine relies on methodically structured ontologies for image annotation, thus allowing for more intelligent reasoning about the image content and subsequently obtaining a more accurate set of results and a richer set of alternatives matchmaking the original query. We also show how our well-analysed and designed domain ontology contributes to the implicit expansion of user queries as well as the exploitation of lexical databases for explicit semantic-based query expansion

The L3Pilot Common Data Format - Enabling Efficient Automated Driving Data Analysis

Analyzing road-test data is important for developing automated vehicles. L3Pilot is a European pilot project on level 3 automation, including 34 partners among manufacturers, suppliers and research institutions. Targeting around 100 cars and 1000 test subjects, the project will generate large amounts of data. We present a data format, allowing efficient data collection, handling and analysis by multiple organizations. A project of the scope of L3Pilot involves various challenges. Data come from a multitude of heterogeneous sources and are processed by a variety of tools. Recorded data span all data types generated in various vehicular sensors/systems and are enriched with external data sources. Videos supplement time-series data as external files. Derived measures and performance indicators \u2013 required to answer research questions about effectiveness of automated driving \u2013 are processed by analysis partners and included for each test session. As a file format, we chose HDF5, which offers a data model and software libraries for storing and managing data. HDF5 is designed for flexible and efficient I/O and for high volume and complex data. The usage of different computing environments for specific tasks is facilitated by the portability that comes with the format. Portability is also important for exploiting the rising potential within artificial intelligence (e.g. automatic scene detection and video annotation). Based on lessons learned from past field tests, we defined a general frame for the common data format that is aligned with the data processing steps of FESTA \u201cV\u201d evaluation methodology. The definitions include representation of the source signals and a hierarchical structure for including multiple datasets that are gradually supplemented (post-processed or annotated) during the various analysis steps. By using the HDF5 format, analysis partners have the freedom to exploit their familiar tools: MATLAB, Java, Python, R, etc. First comparisons between time-series data in previous projects (e.g. AdaptIVe) and the proposed data format show a reduction in storage size of around 80 %, without losses in performance. Much of that is due to efficient internal compression and structuring of data. Considering the amount of objective data involved in automated driving, this leads to a great benefit, in terms of usability. This paper presents a compact, portable, and extensible format aimed at handling extremely large amounts of field test data collected in automated driving pilots. As a harmonized format between tens of organizations performing tests in the L3Pilot project, the proposed format has the potential to promote data sharing as well as development of common tools and gain popularity for use in other projects. The format is designed to allow efficient storing of data and its iterative processing with analysis and evaluation tools. The format also considers the requirements of AI tools supporting neural network training and use

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in HEp-2 cells.

yesAims: The rapidly growing industrial and medical use of nanomaterials, especially zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, has led to growing concerns about their toxicity. Accordingly, the intrinsic genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of these nanoparticles have been evaluated. Materials & methods: Using a HEp-2 cell line, cytotoxicity was tested along with mitochondrial activity and neutral red uptake assays. The genotoxic potential was determined using the Comet and the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assays. In addition,tyrosine phosphorylation events were investigated. Results & conclusion: We found concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity and an increase in DNA and cytogenetic damage with increasing nanoparticle concentrations. Mainly for zinc oxide, genotoxicity was clearly associated with an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. Our results suggest that both types of nanoparticles can be genotoxic over a range of concentrations without being cytotoxic.Embargo ended 3/11/ 201

AI-Based Autonomous Weapons and Individual Criminal Responsibility Under the Rome Statute

Objective: international law obligates states to prosecute those who have violated laws in armed conflicts, particularly when the international community now has International Criminal Court (ICC).That is why the aim of the paper is to discover the responsibility for the crimes made with the use of AI-based autonomous vehicles in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the ICC.Methods: doctrinal analysis allowed to research the positions of experts on the responsibility for the crimes made with the use of AI-based autonomous vehicles in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the ICC.  Results: this paper argues that the ICC can only exercise jurisdiction over natural persons who allegedly have committed the crimes under its jurisdiction, as compared to autonomous weapons. This paper argues that the persons who facilitate the commission of the alleged crimes are highly likely to be criminally responsible for providing means for the alleged crimes to be committed by AI-based autonomous weapons under Article 25(3)(c) of the Rome Statute and concludes that the Rome Statute provides a solution even to AI-based autonomous weapons.Scientific novelty: this paper addresses to the highly relevant issues of the responsibility for the crimes made with the use of AI-based autonomous vehicles in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the ICC.Practical significance: the results achieved in the paper can be used in regulation design for AI-based autonomous weapons. It can also be used as a basis for the future research in the sphere of liability of AI-based autonomous weapons and AI in genera

Influence of mental health literacy on help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems in the Swiss young adult community: a cohort and longitudinal case–control study

Poor knowledge about mental health disorders and their treatment likely contributes to the large treatment gap reported for mental health problems. Therefore, we studied the association between mental health literacy (MHL) and active help-seeking in a community sample. Participants were recruited from an add-on questionnaire study to the 'Bern Epidemiological At-Risk' (BEAR) study on 16-40-year-old community subjects of the Swiss canton Bern. At baseline, data of N = 1504, and at 3-year follow-up, data of N = 535 were available. Based on an unlabelled case vignette (on depression or schizophrenia), MHL was assessed by the questionnaire of Angermeyer and colleagues. Cross-sectional and longitudinal baseline predictors of help-seeking were analysed using path analyses. Additionally, sensitivity analyses of the prospective model were computed for sex, vignette, and baseline mental health problems/disorders. Cross-sectionally, help-seeking was associated with non-endorsement of biogenetic causal explanations, presence of mental health problems/disorders, help-seeking before baseline, poorer functioning, and lower health satisfaction. The prospective model was similar; yet, help-seeking at follow-up was associated with endorsements of the causal explanation 'biogenetics' and, additionally, 'childhood trauma' but not the presence of baseline mental health problems/disorders. Sensitivity analyses revealed a significant impact on sex, vignette, and mental health problems/disorders. For example, actual functional problems were predictive in males, while health satisfaction was predictive in females. Our findings indicate that future studies on drivers of help-seeking should assess very large community samples with case vignettes on different mental disorders to examine appropriate subgroups and their likely interaction to address group-specific factors in awareness campaigns

Chemosensetizing and cardioprotective effects of resveratrol in doxorubicin- treated animals

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline antibiotic is one of the most effective anticancer drug used in the treatment of variety of cancers .Its use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. The present study was designed to assess the role of a natural product resveratrol (RSVL) on sensitization of mammary carcinoma (Ehrlich ascites carcinoma) to the action of DOX and at the same time its protective effect against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. METHODS: Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing mice were used in this study. Percent survival of tumor bearing mice was used for determination of the Cytotoxic activity of DOX in presence and absence of RSVL. Uptake and cell cycle effect of DOX in tumor cells in the presence of RSVL was also determined. Histopatholgical examination of heart tissues after DOX and/or RSVL therapy was also investigated. RESULTS: DOX at a dose level of 15 mg/kg increased the mean survival time of tumor bearing mice to 21 days compared with 15 days for non tumor-bearing control mice. Administration of RSVL at a dose level of 10 mg/kg simultaneously with DOX increased the mean survival time to 30 days with 70% survival of the tumor-bearing animals. RSVL increased the intracellular level of DOX and there was a strong correlation between the high cellular level of DOX and its cytotoxic activity. Moreover, RSVL treatment showed 4.8 fold inhibition in proliferation index of cells treated with DOX. Histopathological analysis of rat heart tissue after a single dose of DOX (20 mg/kg) showed myocytolysis with congestion of blood vessels, cytoplasmic vacuolization and fragmentation. Concomitant treatment with RSVL, fragmentation of the muscle fiber revealed normal muscle fiber. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that RSVL could increase the cytotoxic activity of DOX and at the same time protect against its cardiotoxicity

СТАН КІСТКОВОЇ ТКАНИНИ ТА ВІТАМІН D-СТАТУС У ДІТЕЙ В ПЕРІОД ДРУГОГО РОСТОВОГО СПУРТУ

The aim of the study – to determine the structural and functional condition of the bone tissue and the vitamin D status in schoolchildren during the second growth spurt. Materials and Methods. 205 nominally healthy children aged from 9 to 17 were examined after their categorization depending on the presence/absence of the growth spurt (GS) and its intensity. Group 1 consists of 50 children who have grown up by 8–12 cm for the current year; Group 2 is represented by 46 children who have grown up by over 12 cm, Group 3 covers 109 children who have had no growth spurt. The examination included analysis of the medical history, evaluation of physical and sexual development, ultrasound and X-Ray densitometry, determination of the 25-(ОН)-D3 level. Results. The ultrasound densitometry (UD) revealed a reduced mineral density of the bone tissue (MDBT) in children as follows: Group 1 – 24 children (48.0 %), the average Z-score reached (1.8±0.56); Group 2 – 28 children (60.87 %), the average Z-score amounted to (1.96±0.27); Group 3 – 43 children (39.45 %), the average Z-score reached (1.68±0.72). DXA allowed for examining 32 children with a reduced MDBT as shown by the ultrasound; 18 (56.25 %) of them were diagnosed with a reduced MDBT. Percentage of the children with a reduced MDBT during the growth spurt (Group 1) and the intensive growth spurt (Group 2)  reached 38.9 % and 50.0 %, respectively. The average 25-(ОН)-D3 level in children with a reduced MDBT belonging to Group 1 was (39.04±11.84) nmol/L; in children with a normal MDBT, it was (42.43±6.3) nmol/L; in children with a reduced MDBT belonging to Group 2, its average level reached (45.68±5.48) nmol/L, the average 25-(ОН)-D3 level in case of a normal MDBT was (45.47±4.69) nmol/L; in children with a reduced MDBT falling under Group 3 the average value was (36.73±8.94) nmol/L which is evidently different from the corresponding vitamin level in children with a normal MDBT, namely (42.91±9.1) nmol/L, (р˂0.05). Conclusions. A reduced mineral density of the bone tissue in schoolchildren during the growth spurt occurs due to the lack or deficit of vitamin D3. However, the most significant factor in the MDBT reduction is the fact that the processes of the bone mass accumulation cannot keep pace with an intensive linear growth of the skeleton.Цель исследования – определение структурно-функционального состояния костной ткани и витамин D-статуса у детей в период второго ростового спурта. Материалы и методы. Обследовано 205 условно здоровых детей возрастом 9–17 лет. Дети были разделены на группы в зависимости от наличия ростового спурта (РС) и его интенсивности. I группа – 50 детей, которые за текущий год выросли на 8–12 см; II группа – 46 детей, которые за текущий год выросли более чем на 12 см, III группа – 109 детей, у которых не было РС. Обследование включало анализ данных анамнеза, оценку физического и полового развития, ультразвуковую и рентгеновскую денситометрию, определение 25-(ОН)- D3. Результаты исследования и их обсуждение. При проведении ультразвуковой денситометрии (УД) детям снижение минеральной плотности костной ткани (МПКТ) было диагностировано: I группа – 24 ребенка (48,0 %), средний показатель Z-score составил 1,8±0,56; II группа – 28 детей (60,87 %), средний показатель Z-score – 1,96±0,27; III группа – 43 ребенка (39,45 %), средний показатель Z-score – 1,68±0,72. При помощи DXA было обследовано 32 ребенка, у которых при проведении УД выявлено снижение МПКТ; у 18 из них (56,25 %) было диагностировано снижение МПКТ. Количество детей со снижением МПКТ в период ростового спурта  (І группа) и интенсивного ростового спурта (ІІ группа) составило, соответственно, 38,9 и 50,0 %. Средний уровень витамина 25-(ОН)- D3 у детей I группы со снижением МПКТ составил (39,04±11,84) нмоль/л; у детей с нормальной МПКТ – (42,43± 6,3) нмоль/л; у детей II группы со снижением МПКТ его средний уровень составил (45,68±5,48) нмоль/л, с нормальной МПКТ – (45,47±4,69) нмоль/л; у детей III группы со снижением МПКТ его средний уровень (36,73±8,94) нмоль/л, что достоверно отличается от его значений у детей с нормальной МПКТ – (42,91±9,1) нмоль/л (р˂0,05). Выводы. Снижение минеральной плотности костной ткани у детей школьного возраста в период ростового спурта происходит на фоне недостаточности или дефицита витамина D3, но, в то же время, наибольшее значение в снижении МПКТ играет несоответствие скорости накопления костной ткани линейному росту скелета.Мета дослідження – визначення структурно-функціонального стану кісткової тканини та статусу вітаміну D3 у школярів у період другого ростового спурту. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 205 умовно здорових дітей віком 9–17 років, які були розподілені на групи залежно від наявності ростового спурту (РС) та його інтенсивності. I група – 50 дітей, які за поточний рік прибавили у рості 8–12 см;  II група – 46 дітей, які за поточний рік прибавили у рості більше 12 см, III група – 109 дітей, які не мали РС. Обстеження включало аналіз даних анамнезу, оцінку рівня фізичного та статевого розвитку, ультразвукову та рентгенівську денситометрію, визначення рівня 25-(ОН)-D3. Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. При проведенні ультразвукової денситометрії (УД) дітям зниження мінеральної щільності кісткової тканини (МЩКТ) діагностовано: I група – 24 дитини (48,0 %), середній показник Z-score складав 1,8±0,56; II група – 28 дітей (60,87 %), середній показник Z-score – 1,96±0,27; III група – 43 дитини (39,45 %), середній показник Z-score – 1,68±0,72. За допомогою DXA було обстежено 32 дитини, у яких при проведенні УД виявлено зниження МЩКТ; у 18 з них (56,25 %) було діагностовано зниження МЩКТ. Відсоток дітей зі зниженням МЩКТ у період ростового спурту (І група) та інтенсивного ростового спурту (ІІ група) складав, відповідно, 38,9 та 50,0 %. Середній рівень вітаміну 25-(ОН)-D3 у дітей I групи зі зниженою МЩКТ становив (39,04±11,84) нмоль/л; у дітей із нормальною МЩКТ – (42,43±6,3) нмоль/л; у дітей II групи зі зниженою МЩКТ його середній рівень становив (45,68±5,48) нмоль/л, при нормальній МЩКТ – (45,47±4,69) нмоль/л; у дітей III групи зі зниженою МЩКТ його середній рівень склав (36,73±8,94) нмоль/л, що вірогідно відрізняється від його значень у дітей з нормальною МЩКТ – (42,91±9,1) нмоль/л (р˂0,05). Висновки. Зниження мінеральної щільності кісткової тканини у дітей шкільного віку в період ростового спурту відбувається на тлі недостатності або дефіциту вітаміну D3, проте найбільш суттєвим чинником зниження МЩКТ є саме відставання процесів накопичення кісткової маси на тлі інтенсивного лінійного росту скелета

Passengers' destinations from China: low risk of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) transmission into Africa and South America

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV [SARS-COV-2]) was detected in humans during the last week of December 2019 at Wuhan city in China, and caused 24 554 cases in 27 countries and territories as of 5 February 2020. The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of transmission of 2019-nCoV through human passenger air flight from four major cities of China (Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou) to the passengers' destination countries. We extracted the weekly simulated passengers' end destination data for the period of 1–31 January 2020 from FLIRT, an online air travel dataset that uses information from 800 airlines to show the direct flight and passengers' end destination. We estimated a risk index of 2019-nCoV transmission based on the number of travellers to destination countries, weighted by the number of confirmed cases of the departed city reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). We ranked each country based on the risk index in four quantiles (4th quantile being the highest risk and 1st quantile being the lowest risk). During the period, 388 287 passengers were destined for 1297 airports in 168 countries or territories across the world. The risk index of 2019-nCoV among the countries had a very high correlation with the WHO-reported confirmed cases (0.97). According to our risk score classification, of the countries that reported at least one Coronavirus-infected pneumonia (COVID-19) case as of 5 February 2020, 24 countries were in the 4th quantile of the risk index, two in the 3rd quantile, one in the 2nd quantile and none in the 1st quantile. Outside China, countries with a higher risk of 2019-nCoV transmission are Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Canada and the USA, all of which reported at least one case. In pan-Europe, UK, France, Russia, Germany and Italy; in North America, USA and Canada; in Oceania, Australia had high risk, all of them reported at least one case. In Africa and South America, the risk of transmission is very low with Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt, Mauritius and Brazil showing a similar risk of transmission compared to the risk of any of the countries where at least one case is detected. The risk of transmission on 31 January 2020 was very high in neighbouring Asian countries, followed by Europe (UK, France, Russia and Germany), Oceania (Australia) and North America (USA and Canada). Increased public health response including early case recognition, isolation of identified case, contract tracing and targeted airport screening, public awareness and vigilance of health workers will help mitigate the force of further spread to naïve countries