Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advancing CMOS with carbon electronics

A fresh look on carbon-based transistor channel materials like single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoribbons (GNR) in future electronic applications is given. Although theoretical predictions initially promised that GNR (which do have a bandgap) would perform equally well as transistors based on CNTs, experimental evidence for the well-behaved transistor action is missing up to now. Possible reasons for the shortcomings as well as possible solutions to overcome the performance gap will be addressed. In contrast to GNR, short channel CNT field effect transistors (FET) demonstrate in the experimental realization almost ideal transistor characteristics down to very low bias voltages. Therefore, CNT-FETs are clear frontrunners in the search of a future CMOS switch, that will enable further voltage and gate length scaling. Essential features which distinguish CNT-FETs from alternative solution will be discussed and benchmarked. Finally, the gap to industrial wafer-level scale SWCNT integration will be addressed and strategies for achieving highly aligned carbon nanotube fabrics will be discussed. Without such a high yield wafer-scale integration, SWCNT circuits will be an illusional dream.
Rhythmicity without Synchrony in the Electrically Uncoupled Inferior Olive

Neurons of the inferior olivary nucleus (IO) form the climbing fibers that excite Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex. IO neurons are electrically coupled through gap junctions, and they generate synchronous, subthreshold oscillations of membrane potential at ∼5–10 Hz. Experimental and theoretical studies have suggested that both the rhythmicity and synchrony of IO neurons require electrical coupling. We recorded from pairs of IO neurons in slices of mouse brainstem in vitro. Most pairs of neurons from wild-type (WT) mice were electrically coupled, but coupling was rare and weak between neurons of knock-out (KO) mice for connexin36, a neuronal gap junction protein. IO cells in both WT and KO mice generated rhythmic membrane fluctuations of similar frequency and amplitude. Oscillations in neighboring pairs of WT neurons were strongly synchronized, whereas the oscillations of KO pairs were uncorrelated. Spontaneous oscillations in KO neurons were not blocked by tetrodotoxin. Spontaneously oscillating neurons of both WT and KO mice generated occasional action potentials in phase with their membrane rhythms, but only the action potentials of WT neuron pairs were synchronous. Harmaline, a β-carboline derivative thought to induce tremor by facilitating rhythmogenesis in the IO, was injected systemically into WT and KO mice. Harmaline-induced tremors were robust and indistinguishable in the two genotypes, suggesting that gap junction-mediated synchrony does not play a role in harmaline-induced tremor. We conclude that electrical coupling is not necessary for the generation of spontaneous subthreshold oscillations in single IO neurons, but that coupling can serve to synchronize rhythmic activity among IO neurons.
Cognitive Interventions in Mild Alzheimer's Disease: A Therapy-Evaluation Study on the Interaction of Medication and Cognitive Treatment

Background/Aims: Many studies have shown that not only pharmacological treatment but also cognitive stimulation in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) improves language processing and (other) cognitive functions, stabilizes Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) functions and increases the subjective quality of life (wherein a combination of pharmacological intervention and cognitive stimulation could provide greater relief of clinical symptoms than either intervention given alone). Today, it is no longer the question of whether cognitive stimulation helps but rather what kind of stimulation helps more than others. Methods: A sample of 42 subjects with mild AD (all medicated with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and well adjusted) underwent clinical and cognitive evaluation and participated in a 6-month study with 2 experimental groups (i.e. ‘client-centered' global stimulation vs. cognitive training) and a control group. Since the test performance also depends on the individual test, we used a wide variety of tests; we z-transformed the results and then calculated the mean value for the global cognitive status (using the Mini-Mental State Examination) as well as for the single functional areas. Results: Between-group differences were found, they were overall in favor of the experimental groups. Different functional areas led to different treatment and test patterns. Client-centered, global, cognitive therapy stimulated many cognitive functions and thus led to a better performance in language processing and ADL/IADL. The subjective quality of life increased as well. The cognitive training (of working memory) improved only the ADL/IADL performance (more, however, than client-centered, global, cognitive stimulation) and stabilized the level of performance in the other three functional areas.
Use of technological equipment in critical care units: nurses' perceptions in Greece.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of nurses who work in critical care units about positive and negative effects related to the use of technological equipment and identify relationships between these perceptions and demographic characteristics of participants. BACKGROUND Previous researchers have investigated the perceptions of nursing personnel about the effects of technology on clinical practice. However, most of them focus on specific negative effects. Positive and negative effects have never been studied as a whole. DESIGN Critical care nurses were surveyed to elicit their perceptions regarding the use of technological equipment. The instrument comprised a 14-item questionnaire and a series of demographic characteristics. A five-point Likert scale was used for each of these 14 questions. METHODS The questionnaire was administered to 122 nurses working at the four critical care units of a major academic hospital in Patras, Greece, from 1/10/2003 to 31/12/2003. The completion of the questionnaires was achieved by means of a personal interview. RESULTS A total of 118 questionnaires were completed. The majority of nurses recognized the positive effects of equipment regarding patient care and clinical practice. At the same time, they agreed that use of equipment possibly leads to increased risk due to human errors or mechanical faults, increased stress and restricted autonomy of nursing personnel. CONCLUSIONS The use of machines does not add to nursing prestige and this may be related to decreased autonomy. Human errors, mechanical faults and increased stress do not seem to come as a result of time constriction but rather of inadequate education. Undergraduate and continuing education should respond efficiently to the needs of contemporary critical care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Recognition of positive and negative effects of machines through the investigation of perceptions of nurses is the first step before looking for ways of maximizing advantages and facing disadvantages of equipment use.
Optimal pyramidal and subband decompositions for hierarchical coding of noisy and quantized images

Optimal hierarchical coding is sought, for progressive or scalable image transmission, by minimizing the variance of the error difference between the original image and its lower resolution renditions. The optimal, according to the above criterion, pyramidal and subband image coders are determined for images subject to corruption by quantization or transmission noise. Given arbitrary analysis filters and assuming adequate knowledge of the noise statistics, optimal synthesis filters are found. The optimal analysis filters are subsequently determined, leading to formulas for globally optimal structures for pyramidal and subband image decompositions. Experimental results illustrate the implementation and performance of the optimal coders.
Patterns of Cranial Development in Larval Rana macrocnemis: Chondrocranial Size and Shape Relationship With Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae)

Notwithstanding the abundance of amphibians, there are few descriptions about ranid cranial development. Herein, larval chondrocranial development of Uludağ frog, Rana macrocnemis (Boulenger, 1885), is described on cleared and double‐stained specimens. Descriptions are related with the ontogeny of the chondrocranium and osteogenesis of the cranial skeleton. The larval chondrocranial development of R. macrocnemis is compared to those of Rana and Pelophylax larvae (Pelophylax bedriagae, Rana pipiens, R. palustris, R. sphenocephala, R. catesbeiana, R. clamitans and R. sylvatica). In R. macrocnemis, the first bones to ossify are the parasphenoid and exoccipital (Stage 33), followed by the frontoparietal and prootic (stages 35 and 40, respectively). The major reconstruction of the chondrocranium begins at Stage 41. The ossification sequence of R. macrocnemis is distinguished from other ranids. Adult cranial osteology of R. macrocnemis is compared to that of P. bedriagae. Osteologically, R. macrocnemis is different from P. bedriagae by the shape and size of the vomer and number of teeth. Additionally, geometric morphometric methods are used to analyze chondrocranial size and shape changes of ranid larva of R. macrocnemis and P. bedriagae. Anat Rec, 299:711–721, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coverage Metrics for Requirements-Based Testing: Evaluation of Effectiveness

In black-box testing, the tester creates a set of tests to exercise a system under test without regard to the internal structure of the system. Generally, no objective metric is used to measure the adequacy of black-box tests. In recent work, we have proposed three requirements coverage metrics, allowing testers to objectively measure the adequacy of a black-box test suite with respect to a set of requirements formalized as Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) properties. In this report, we evaluate the effectiveness of these coverage metrics with respect to fault finding. Specifically, we conduct an empirical study to investigate two questions: (1) do test suites satisfying a requirements coverage metric provide better fault finding than randomly generated test suites of approximately the same size? , and (2) do test suites satisfying a more rigorous requirements coverage metric provide better fault finding than test suites satisfying a less rigorous requirements coverage metric? Our results indicate (1) only one coverage metric proposed -- Unique First Cause (UFC) coverage -- is sufficiently rigorous to ensure test suites satisfying the metric outperform randomly generated test suites of similar size and (2) that test suites satisfying more rigorous coverage metrics provide better fault finding than test suites satisfying less rigorous coverage metrics.
Modern Economic Theory and Development

The past 50 years have seen marked changes in our understanding of development. We know that development is possible, but not inevitable. We have had a wealth of experiments. There are clearly no surefire formulas for success; if there were, there would be more successes. Some strategies seem to work for a while and then stall; some strategies seem to work in some countries and not in others.1 Economic theory has evolved to account for the successes and failures. This chapter attempts to describe these changes in economic theory—both in the kinds of models used and in the factors that are identified as playing key roles. It focuses on two pivotal questions: What forces can explain the divergence in incomes across countries? What implications can we draw for the nature of the interventions most likely to promote development? A basic theme of this chapter is that industrial countries differ from developing countries by much more than their level of capital—or even their human capital. More capital may be helpful, but, remarkably, even a transfer of funds may not have a large effect on economic growth (see World Bank 1999a). Eliminating government-imposed distortions is also obviously desirable but seems neither necessary nor sufficient for sustained growth.2 A view shared by all the perspectives on development that we explore in this chapter is that industrial and developing countries are on different production functions and are organized in different ways. Development is no longer seen primarily as a process of capital accumulation but rather as a process of organizational change. We discuss work done in three broad, interrelated research programs—the economics of information, the theory of coordination problems, and institutional economics. These research programs depart from the strong assumptions of neoclassical theory. In that theory, every equi-
The assessment of inflammatory activity and toxicity of treated sewage using RAW264.7 cells

Toxicity and inflammatory activity of wastewater samples were evaluated using RAW264.7 cells as a bioassay model. The RAW264.7 cell cultures were exposed to sterile filtered wastewater samples collected from a sewage treatment plant. Cell viability was evaluated using WST‐1 and XTT assays. Inflammatory effects of samples were assessed by determination of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6). The NO was estimated using the Griess reaction and IL‐6 was measured by enzyme‐linked immunoassay. All samples had no toxicity effects to RAW264.7 cells, however they significantly (P < 0.001) induced NO and IL‐6 production. The highest NO (12.5 ± 0.38 μM) and IL‐6 (25383.84 ± 2327 pg/mL) production was induced by postbiofiltration sample. Final effluent induced the lowest inflammatory response, which indicates effective sewage treatment. In conclusion, wastewater samples can induce inflammatory activities in RAW264.7 cells. The RAW264.7 cells, therefore, can be used as a model for monitoring the quality of treated sewage.
Optimal filtering for polynomial states over polynomial observations

In this paper, the optimal filtering problem for polynomial system states over polynomial observations is studied proceeding from the general expression for the stochastic Ito differentials of the optimal estimate and the error variance. In contrast to the previously obtained results, the paper deals with the general case of nonlinear polynomial states and observations. As a result, the Ito differentials for the optimal estimate and error variance corresponding to the stated filtering problem are first derived. The procedure for obtaining a closed system of the filtering equations for any polynomial state over observations with any polynomial drift is then established. In the example, the obtained optimal filter is applied to solve the optimal third order sensor filtering problem for a quadratic state, assuming a Gaussian initial condition for the extended third order state vector. The simulation results show that the designed filter yields a reliable and rapidly converging estimate.
Parental traumatic stress during and after paediatric cancer treatment

The objective was to cross-sectionally compare parents of children during (n = 175) and after (n = 238) cancer treatment regarding traumatic stress (intrusion, avoidance, arousal). In both groups, time since child's diagnosis ranged from one month to six years. Intrusion and arousal were more frequent in parents during ongoing treatment, although also reported by many parents after treatment. Stress was evaluated in relation to situational and demographic factors: Parents who had experienced a relapse did not differ from parents of non-relapsed children. Time since diagnosis was only weakly associated with stress. In the stage of completed treatment the risk for severe stress was elevated in parents with lower education and immigrant parents. Mothers reported somewhat higher levels of stress than fathers, although the findings were ambiguous. To conclude, many parents experience high levels of disease-related stress, even after successful treatment. The pattern of stress symptoms may vary according to educational level, ethnicity, and gender.
Linking names and faces: seeing the problem in different ways

In this paper we report on our experiments on linking names and faces as found in images and captions of online news websites. Whereas previously, the focus has been mostly on assigning names to the faces, we generalize this framework, exploiting the (a)symmetry between the visual and textual modalities. This leads to different schemes for assigning names to faces, assigning faces to names, and establishing name-face link pairs. On top of that, we investigate the use of textual and visual structural information to predict the presence of the corresponding entity in the other modality. This further improves the accuracy of the cross-media linking results.
D1‐like dopamine receptors selectively block P/Q‐type calcium channels to reduce glutamate release onto cholinergic basal forebrain neurones of immature rats

Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings of non‐NMDA glutamatergic EPSCs were made from identified cholinergic neurones in slices of basal forebrain (BF) of young rats (P13–P18), to investigate the subtypes of calcium channels involved in dopamine D1‐like receptor‐mediated presynaptic inhibition of the EPSCs. The BF cholinergic neurones were pre‐labelled by intracerebroventricular injection of a fluorescent marker, Cy3‐192IgG. A D1‐like receptor agonist, SKF 81297 (30 μm) suppressed the EPSCs reversibly by about 30%, and this inhibition was reproducible. Calcium channel subtypes involved in the glutamatergic transmission were elucidated using selective Ca2+ channel blockers. The N‐type Ca2+ channel blocker ω‐conotoxin (ω‐CgTX, 3 μm) suppressed the EPSCs by 57.5%, whereas the P/Q‐type channel selective blocker ω‐agatoxin‐TK (ω‐Aga‐TK, 200 nm) suppressed the EPSCs by 68.9%. Simultaneous application of both blockers suppressed the EPSCs by 96.1%. The R‐type Ca2+ channel blocker SNX‐482 (300 nm) suppressed the EPSCs by 18.4%, whereas nifedipine, the L‐type Ca2+ channel blocker (10 μm), had little effect. In the presence of ω‐Aga‐TK, SKF 81297, a dopamine D1‐like receptor agonist, had no effect on the EPSCs. On the other hand, SKF 81297 could still inhibit the EPSCs in the presence of either ω‐CgTX, SNX‐482 or nifedipine. SKF 81297 had no further effect on the EPSCs when external Ca2+ concentration was raised to 7.2 mm in the presence of ω‐Aga‐TK, but could still inhibit the EPSCs in high Ca2+ solution after ω‐CgTX application. Forskolin (FK, 10 μm), an activator of adenylyl cyclase pathway, suppressed the EPSCs, and the FK‐induced effect was mostly blocked in the presence of ω‐Aga‐TK but not that of ω‐CgTX. These results suggest that D1‐like receptor activation selectively blocks P/Q‐type calcium channels to reduce glutamate release onto BF cholinergic neurones.
Gravitational Search Algorithm Based Technique for Voltage Stability Improvement

Voltage instability problem has been known as a significant threat to power system operation since its occurrence can lead to power interruption. This phenomenon can be due to uncontrollable load increment, line and generator outage contingencies or unplanned load curtailment. Optimal reactive power dispatch involving reactive power support can be one of the options for improving voltage stability of a power system, which also requires optimization process. Optimal sizing and location can of reactive power support can avoid the system from experiencing over-compensated or under-compensated phenomena. The presence of optimization techniques has helped solving non-optimal phenomenon, nevertheless some setbacks have also been experienced in terms of inaccuracy and stuck in local optima. This paper presents the application of Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) technique in attempt to solve optimal reactive power dispatch problem in terms of reactive power support for voltage stability improvement. Optimization process tested on IEEE 14-bus Reliability Test System (RTS) has revealed its superiority with significant promising results in terms of voltage stability improvement in the test system.
Non‐invasive models for predicting histology in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Abstract: Background and aim: In contrast to chronic hepatitis C (CHC), few studies had been performed in assessing non‐invasive models for predicting significant fibrosis or cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. We aimed to evaluate non‐invasive markers for diagnosing significant fibrosis/cirrhosis in patients with CHB, and to evaluate accuracy of models from CHC in CHB patients.
Tularemia as a biological weapon: medical and public health management.

OBJECTIVE The Working Group on Civilian Biodefense has developed consensus-based recommendations for measures to be taken by medical and public health professionals if tularemia is used as a biological weapon against a civilian population. PARTICIPANTS The working group included 25 representatives from academic medical centers, civilian and military governmental agencies, and other public health and emergency management institutions and agencies. EVIDENCE MEDLINE databases were searched from January 1966 to October 2000, using the Medical Subject Headings Francisella tularensis, Pasteurella tularensis, biological weapon, biological terrorism, bioterrorism, biological warfare, and biowarfare. Review of these references led to identification of relevant materials published prior to 1966. In addition, participants identified other references and sources. CONSENSUS PROCESS Three formal drafts of the statement that synthesized information obtained in the formal evidence-gathering process were reviewed by members of the working group. Consensus was achieved on the final draft. CONCLUSIONS A weapon using airborne tularemia would likely result 3 to 5 days later in an outbreak of acute, undifferentiated febrile illness with incipient pneumonia, pleuritis, and hilar lymphadenopathy. Specific epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological findings should lead to early suspicion of intentional tularemia in an alert health system; laboratory confirmation of agent could be delayed. Without treatment, the clinical course could progress to respiratory failure, shock, and death. Prompt treatment with streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin is recommended. Prophylactic use of doxycycline or ciprofloxacin may be useful in the early postexposure period.
An SVM-based voting algorithm with application to parse reranking

This paper introduces a novel Support Vector Machines (SVMs) based voting algorithm for reranking, which provides a way to solve the sequential models indirectly. We have presented a risk formulation under the PAC framework for this voting algorithm. We have applied this algorithm to the parse reranking problem, and achieved labeled recall and precision of 89.4%/89.8% on WSJ section 23 of Penn Treebank.
Soft Contact Lens Visual Performance: A Multicenter Study

The present investigation concerns the evaluation of the visual performance of two groups of subjects, each by a different investigator, while wearing two contact lens corrections (Acuvue and SeeQuence) and spectacles. The investigation involved the measurements of visual acuity with Logmar progression charts (Regan contrast sensitivity letter charts) of two different contrasts (92% and 6%) at two luminance levels (250 and 2.5 cd/m2) and the evaluation by questionnaire of the subjects' visual acceptance. The results obtained showed that the investigation routine was: (1) highly sensitive at detecting differences in acuity between lens types that were associated with differences in clinical acceptance, and (2) highly reliable at reaching similar conclusions for differences between corrections, even when used by different investigators on independent subject groups. In addition, the investigation has shown that Acuvue achieved similar visual performance to that of the full spherocylindrical spectacle correction, and a significantly better visual acuity and visual acceptance than SeeQuence.