Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noise Masking for Pattern Recall Using a Single Lattice Matrix Auto-Associative Memory

Lattice matrix associative memories have been developed as an alternative way to work with a set of associated pattern pairs for which the storage and retrieval stages are based in the theory of minimax algebra. Several methods have been proposed to cope with the problem of binary or real valued pattern recall from corrupted inputs and recent results on fixed point sets of matrix lattice transforms have provided for an algebraic characterization as well as a geometrical description of the canonical lattice min/max auto-associative memories. Compared to other correlation type associative memory models, the lattice associative memory schemes have shown better performance for both storage and recall capability; however, the computational techniques devised to achieve that purpose are still cumbersome when inputs have undetermined noise bounds. The procedure suggested in this paper uses noise masking to boost the recall performance of either the min or max morphological auto-associative memories. Examples using image patterns show the enhanced recovery of almost correct associations from noisy inputs by a single lattice matrix memory.
Comparing η Carinae with the Red Rectangle

I compare the structures of the bipolar nebulae around the massive binary system η Carinae and around the low-mass binary system HD 44179. While η Car is on its way to becoming a supernova, the Red Rectangle is on its way to forming a planetary nebula. Despite the 2 orders of magnitude difference in mass, these two systems show several similarities, both in the properties of the stellar binary systems and in the nebulae. From this comparison and further analysis of the accretion process during the 20 yr Great Eruption of η Car, I strengthen the binary model for the formation of its bipolar nebula—the Homunculus. In the binary model a large fraction of the mass lost by the primary star during the Great Eruption was transferred to the secondary star (the companion). An accretion disk was formed around the companion, and the companion launched two opposite jets. I show that the gravitational energy of the mass accreted onto the secondary star during the Great Eruption can account for the extra energy of the Great Eruption, both the radiated energy and the kinetic energy in the Homunculus. I also conclude that neither the proximity of the primary star in η Car to the Eddington luminosity nor the rotation of the primary star are related directly to the shaping of the Homunculus. I speculate that the Great Eruption of η Car was triggered by disturbance in the outer boundary of the convective region, most likely by magnetic activity, that expelled the outer radiative zone.
Can trans resveratrol plus d-chiro-inositol and myo-inositol improve maternal metabolic profile in overweight pregnant patients?

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of trans-resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum/magnesium hydroxide complex, trademark Revifast®, plus D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and Myo-inositol (MI) during spontaneous pregnancies in overweight patients in a pilot study. STUDY DESIGN A one-year, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled single center clinical study was carried out on overweight pregnant women. 110 patients were randomized in 3 groups to receive: Revifast® with DCI/MI (group I), DCI/MI alone (group II) or control group (group III) for 30 and 60 days. The main outcomes were to explore the lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG) and glucose levels, after 30 and 60 days of therapy. RESULTS No difference in systolic and diastolic parameters among 3 groups during study. All blood chemistry parameters improved compared to placebo at 30 days already, but significantly to 60 days, respect placebo. By comparing the two treatment groups, group I demonstrates significantly improved lipid and glucose parameters than group II, which are at 30 to 60 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS The supplementation of Trans-resveratrol, Revifast® in addition to DCI/MI in overweight pregnant woman with an elevated fasting glucose improves glucose levels, Total Cholesterol, LDL and TG.
The Progranulin Cleavage Products, Granulins, Exacerbate TDP-43 Toxicity and Increase TDP-43 Levels

Mutations in the human progranulin gene resulting in protein haploinsufficiency cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions. Although progress has been made in understanding the normal functions of progranulin and TDP-43, the molecular interactions between these proteins remain unclear. Progranulin is proteolytically processed into granulins, but the role of granulins in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease is unknown. We used a Caenorhabditis elegans model of neuronal TDP-43 proteinopathy to specifically interrogate the contribution of granulins to the neurodegenerative process. Complete loss of the progranulin gene did not worsen TDP-43 toxicity, whereas progranulin heterozygosity did. Interestingly, expression of individual granulins alone had little effect on behavior. In contrast, when granulins were coexpressed with TDP-43, they exacerbated its toxicity in a variety of behaviors including motor coordination. These same granulins increased TDP-43 levels via a post-translational mechanism. We further found that in human neurodegenerative disease subjects, granulin fragments accumulated specifically in diseased regions of brain. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a toxic role for granulin fragments in a neurodegenerative disease model. These studies suggest that presence of cleaved granulins, rather than or in addition to loss of full-length progranulin, may contribute to disease in TDP-43 proteinopathies.
Is a mechanical-assist device better than manual chest compression? A randomized controlled trial

Background Chest compression quality is a determinant of survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The CPR RsQ Assist Device (CPR RAD) is a new cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for chest compression. It is operated manually but it does not pull up on the chest on the up stroke. The aim of this study was to compare the CPR RAD with standard manual compression in terms of chest compression quality in a manikin model. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to either the device or manual chest compression group. Each participant performed a maximum of 4 minutes of hands-only compression with or without the device. During chest compression, the following quality parameters from the manikin were recorded: compression rate, compression depth, and correctness of hand position. Results Duration of chest compression was significantly higher in device users compared with manual compression (223.93±36.53 vs 179.67±50.81 seconds; P<0.001). The mean compression depth did not differ in a statistically significant way between manual compression and device at 2 minutes (56.42±6.42 vs 54.25±5.32; P=0.052). During the first and second minutes, compression rate was higher in cases of standard compression (133.21±15.95 vs 108±9.45; P<0.001 and 127.41±27.77 vs 108.5±9.93; P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of participants who employed compression that was too shallow or exhibited incorrect hand position. Conclusion The CPR RAD is more effective in chest compression compared with manual chest compression, as using the device led to better results in terms of fatigue reduction and correct compression rate than standard manual compression.
Antiprotozoal Activity of Buxus sempervirens and Activity-Guided Isolation of O-tigloylcyclovirobuxeine-B as the Main Constituent Active against Plasmodium falciparum ‡

Buxus sempervirens L. (European Box, Buxaceae) has been used in ethnomedicine to treat malaria. In the course of our screening of plant extracts for antiprotozoal activity, a CH2Cl2 extract from leaves of B. sempervirens showed selective in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 2.79 vs. 20.2 µg/mL for cytotoxicity against L6 rat cells). Separation of the extract by acid/base extraction into a basic and a neutral non-polar fraction led to a much more active and even more selective fraction with alkaloids while the fraction of non-polar neutral constituents was markedly less active than the crude extract. Thus, the activity of the crude extract could clearly be attributed to alkaloid constituents. Identification of the main triterpene-alkaloids and characterization of the complex pattern of this alkaloid fraction was performed by UHPLC/+ESI-QTOF-MS analyses. ESI-MS/MS target-guided larger scale preparative separation of the alkaloid fraction was performed by ‘spiral coil-countercurrent chromatography’. From the most active subfraction, the cycloartane alkaloid O-tigloylcyclovirobuxeine-B was isolated and evaluated for antiplasmodial activity which yielded an IC50 of 0.455 µg/mL (cytotoxicity against L6 rat cells: IC50 = 9.38 µg/mL). O-tigloylcyclovirobuxeine-B is thus most significantly responsible for the high potency of the crude extract.
Transdermal selegiline for the treatment of major depressive disorder

Non-selective inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes (ie, isoforms A and B) in the brain are associated with clinically significant antidepressant effects. In the US, the selegiline transdermal system (STS; EMSAM) is the first antidepressant transdermal delivery system to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved labeling for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Currently, the use of orally administered MAO inhibitor antidepressants (eg, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) is limited by the risk of tyramine-provoked events (eg, acute hypertension and headache, also known as the “cheese reaction”) when combined with dietary tyramine. The selegiline transdermal system is the only MAOI available in the US for the treatment of MDD that does not require dietary restriction at the clinically effective dose of 6 mg/24 hours. Delivery of selegiline transdermally (EMSAM®) bypasses hepatic first pass metabolism, thereby avoiding significant inhibition of gastrointestinal and hepatic MAO-A activity (ie, reduced risk of tyramine-provoked events) while still providing sufficient levels of selegiline in the brain to produce an antidepressant effect. At dosages of 6–12 mg/24 hours, EMSAM has been shown to improve symptoms of depression, have good tolerability, and have high rates of medication adherence. However, at higher doses of EMSAM (ie, 9 mg/24 hours or more), dietary restriction of tyramine intake is recommended. The introduction of EMSAM overcomes many of the safety concerns affiliated with the conventional oral MAO inhibitors and EMSAM may be considered another strategy for the treatment of MDD, especially in patients who cannot tolerate oral antidepressants, are poorly adherent, who present with atypical depressive symptoms, or have failed other antidepressants.
THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE

partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Cahnite is one of the few crystals which had been assigned to crystal class 4. A precession study showed that its diffraction sphol is 4/m I-/-, which contains space groups I4, I4E, and14/. Because of the known 4 morphology, it must be assigned to space group I4. The unit cell, whose dimensions are a = 7.11A, o = 6.201, contains two formula weights of Ca BAsO (OH)L. The structure was studied with the aid of in ensity medsurements made with a single-crystal diffractometer. Patterson s ntheses were first made for projections along the c, a, and 110 directions. The atomic numbers of the atoms are in the ratio As:Ca.0:B = 33:20:8:5, so that the Patterson peaks are dominated by the atom pairs containing arsenic as one member of the pair. Since there are only two arsenic atoms in a body-centered cell, one As can be arbitrarily assigned to the origin. Then the major peaks of the Patterson syntheses are at locations of atoms in the structure. The structure, determined approximately in this manner, was refined by two-dimensional difference maps, and later by least squares using all hkl reflections recordable with CuKecradiation. The structure consist I of As tetrahedrally surrounded by oxygen at a distance of 1.67 and B tetrahedrally surrounded by oxygen at a distance of 1.47. Although the tetrahedra do not share oxygens, they are linked together by hydrogen bonds. The Ca atoms are each swrrounded by 8 oxygen atoms at an average distance of 2.46A. Because of interest in the use of the equi-inclination single-crystal diffractometer for the systematic collection of three-dimensional diffraction intensities, general analytical expressions for T and #which can be evaluated by a digital computer have been derived in an appendix. Another appendix gives an analysis of some experimental techniques in crystal structure analysis. Abstract Introduction 1
Prevention of Diabetes With Pioglitazone in ACT NOW

We examined the metabolic characteristics that attend the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in 441 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subjects who participated in the ACT NOW Study and had complete end-of-study metabolic measurements. Subjects were randomized to receive pioglitazone (PGZ; 45 mg/day) or placebo and were observed for a median of 2.4 years. Indices of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index [MI]), insulin secretion (IS)/insulin resistance (IR; ΔI0–120/ΔG0–120, ΔIS rate [ISR]0–120/ΔG0–120), and β-cell function (ΔI/ΔG × MI and ΔISR/ΔG × MI) were calculated from plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations during oral glucose tolerance tests at baseline and study end. Diabetes developed in 45 placebo-treated vs. 15 PGZ-treated subjects (odds ratio [OR] 0.28 [95% CI 0.15–0.49]; P < 0.0001); 48% of PGZ-treated subjects reverted to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) versus 28% of placebo-treated subjects (P < 0.005). Higher final glucose tolerance status (NGT > IGT > T2DM) was associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity (OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.54–0.80]), IS (OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.50–0.75]), and β-cell function (ln IS/IR index and ln ISR/IR index) (OR 0.26 [95% CI 0.19–0.37]; all P < 0.0001). Of the factors measured, improved β-cell function was most closely associated with final glucose tolerance status.
Device-Free Person Detection and Ranging in UWB Networks

We present a novel device-free stationary person detection and ranging method, that is applicable to ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB) networks. The method utilizes a fixed UWB infrastructure and does not require a training database of template waveforms. Instead, the method capitalizes on the fact that a human presence induces small low-frequency variations that stand out against the background signal, which is mainly affected by wideband noise. We analyze the detection probability, and validate our findings with numerical simulations and experiments with off-the-shelf UWB transceivers in an indoor environment.
Pain, Quality of Life, and Safety Outcomes of Kyphoplasty for Vertebral Compression Fractures: Report of a Task Force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

The relative efficacy and harms of balloon kyphoplasty (BK) for treating vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are uncertain. We searched multiple electronic databases to March 2016 for randomized and quasi‐randomized controlled trials comparing BK with control treatment (nonsurgical management [NSM], percutaneous vertebroplasty [PV], KIVA VCF treatment system [Benvenue Medical, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA], vertebral body stenting, or other) in adults with VCF. Outcomes included back pain, back disability, quality of life, new VCF, and adverse events (AEs). One reviewer extracted data, a second checked accuracy, and two rated risk of bias (ROB). Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using inverse‐variance models. Risk ratios of new VCF and AE were calculated using Mantel‐Haenszel models. Ten unique trials enrolled 1837 participants (age range, 61 to 76 years; 74% female), all rated as having high or uncertain ROB. Versus NSM, BK was associated with greater reductions in pain, back‐related disability, and better quality of life (k = 1 trial) that appeared to lessen over time, but were less than minimally clinically important differences. Risk of new VCF at 3 and 12 months was not significantly different (k = 2 trials). Risk of any AE was increased at 1 month (RR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.36 to 2.21). There were no significant differences between BK and PV in back pain, back disability, quality of life, risk of new VCF, or any AE (k = 1 to 3 trials). Limitations included lack of a BK versus sham comparison, availability of only one RCT of BK versus NSM, and lack of study blinding. Individuals with painful VCF experienced symptomatic improvement compared with baseline with all interventions. The clinical importance of the greater improvements with BK versus NSM is unclear, may be due to placebo effect, and may not counterbalance short‐term AE risks. Outcomes appeared similar between BK and other surgical interventions. Well‐conducted randomized trials comparing BK with sham would help resolve remaining uncertainty about the relative benefits and harms of BK. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effect on solute size on diffusion rates through the transmembrane pores of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli

Nutrients usually cross the outer membrane of Escherichia coli by diffusion through water-filled channels surrounded by a specific class of protein, porins. In this study, the rates of diffusion of hydrophilic nonelectrolytes, mostly sugars and sugar alcohols, through the porin channels were determined in two systems, (a) vesicles reconstituted from phospholipids and purified porin and (b) intact cells of mutant strains that produce many fewer porin molecules than wild-type strains. The diffusion rates were strongly affected by the size of the solute, even when the size was well within the "exclusion limit" of the channel. In both systems, hexoses and hexose disaccharides diffused through the channel at rates 50-80% and 2-4%, respectively, of that of a pentose, arabinose. Application of the Renkin equation to these data led to the estimate that the pore radius is approximately 0.6 nm, if the pore is assumed to be a hollow cylinder. The results of the study also show that the permeability of the outer membrane of the wild-type E. coli cell to glucose and lactose can be explained by the presence of porin channels, that a significant fraction of these channels must be functional or "open" under our conditions of growth, and that even 10(5) channels per cell could become limiting when E. coli tries to grow at a maximal rate on low concentrations of slowly penetrating solutes, such as disaccharides.
The Role of Prosodic Breaks and Pitch Accents in Grouping Words during On-line Sentence Processing

The present study addresses the question whether accentuation and prosodic phrasing can have a similar function, namely, to group words in a sentence together. Participants listened to locally ambiguous sentences containing object- and subject-control verbs while ERPs were measured. In Experiment 1, these sentences contained a prosodic break, which can create a certain syntactic grouping of words, or no prosodic break. At the disambiguation, an N400 effect occurred when the disambiguation was in conflict with the syntactic grouping created by the break. We found a similar N400 effect without the break, indicating that the break did not strengthen an already existing preference. This pattern held for both object- and subject-control items. In Experiment 2, the same sentences contained a break and a pitch accent on the noun following the break. We argue that the pitch accent indicates a broad focus covering two words [see Gussenhoven, C. On the limits of focus projection in English. In P. Bosch & R. van der Sandt (Eds.), Focus: Linguistic, cognitive, and computational perspectives. Cambridge: University Press, 1999], thus grouping these words together. For object-control items, this was semantically possible, which led to a “good-enough” interpretation of the sentence. Therefore, both sentences were interpreted equally well and the N400 effect found in Experiment 1 was absent. In contrast, for subject-control items, a corresponding grouping of the words was impossible, both semantically and syntactically, leading to processing difficulty in the form of an N400 effect and a late positivity. In conclusion, accentuation can group words together on the level of information structure, leading to either a semantically “good-enough” interpretation or a processing problem when such a semantic interpretation is not possible.
Experimental investigation of end milling of titanium alloys with polycrystalline diamond tools

The low thermal conductivity and high chemical reactivity of titanium alloys result in a short tool life in the milling process. This article investigates the performance of polycrystalline diamond tools in the end milling of titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V) by using small customized cutting tools. The relationship between cutting force and cutting parameters was analysed; tool life, tool wear, and causes that lead to tool failure were discussed. To analyse tool wear and cutting temperatures, residual chemical components on the cutting tool were examined with X-ray diffraction method, while surface integrity of cutting tools was inspected based on the images taken by the scanning electrical microscope. Finite element analysis models were developed to simulate the initiation of cracks under different loading cycles. Through cutting experiments, it was found that brittle chipping and fatigue were the two major modes of failure, and feed rate was the dominant factor that causes large cutting forces.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Bipolar Functional Status Questionnaire (BFSQ).

OBJECTIVES Persistently impaired psychosocial functioning has been recognized in many individuals with bipolar disorder. However, existing measures of functional disability have been adapted for use in bipolar disorder based mainly on those developed for use in other conditions. The present study involved the development and validation of a new patient self-report measure specific to bipolar disorder, the Bipolar Functional Status Questionnaire (BFSQ). METHODS Relevant constructs were identified, evaluated, and refined through an expert advisory panel in conjunction with patient interviews. Questionnaire items were vetted through iterative patient interviews. Psychometric properties were determined based on patient responses from implementation of the proposed 33-item questionnaire in an 11-site study of 596 patients with bipolar disorder across varied phases of illness. RESULTS Eight constructs were identified as fundamental to functional status in bipolar disorder: cognitive function, sleep, role functioning, emotional functioning, energy/vitality, social functioning, personal management, and sexual functioning. Psychometric validation supported item reduction to a 24-item unidimensional scale, with high internal consistency (coefficient alpha's = 0.93-0.95), high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.86, 95% confidence interval = 0.82-0.89), strong convergent validity with other functional disability measures (r's > 0.70), and highly significant discriminant validity across illness phases, with large effect sizes (Cohen's d > 0.70). CONCLUSIONS The BFSQ is a psychometrically sound self-report measure that can be used to effectively quantify functional status across different clinical states in patients with bipolar disorder.