Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 3.9 ps RMS resolution time-to-digital converter using dual-sampling method on Kintex UltraScale FPGA

The principle of tapped-delay line (TDL) style field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based time-to-digital converters (TDC) requires finer delay granularity for higher time resolution. Given a tapped delay line constructed with carry chains in an FPGA, it is desirable to find a solution subdividing the intrinsic delay elements further, so that the TDC can achieve a time resolution beyond its cell delay. In this paper, after exploring the available logic resource in Xilinx Kintex UltraScale FPGA, we propose a dual-sampling method to have the TDL status sampled twice. The effect of the new method is equivalent to double the number of taps in the delay line, therefore a significant improvement in time resolution should present. Two TDC channels have been implemented in a Kintex UltraScale FPGA and the effectiveness of the new method is investigated. For fixed time intervals in the range from 0 to 440 ns, the average time resolutions measured by the two TDC channels are respectively 3.9 ps with the dual-sampling method and 5.8 ps by the conventional single-sampling method. In addition, the TDC design maintains advantages of multichannel capability and high measurement throughput in our previous design. Every part of TDC, including dual-sampling, code conversion and on-line calibration could run at 500 MHz clock frequency.
Amygdaloid sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy

Hippocampal sclerosis is the sole abnormality found in approximately 65% of all temporal lobe specimens resected for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. Up to 27% of en bloc temporal lobectomy specimens, howevery, show no definitive pathological changes. The lateral amygdaloid nucleus from 8 consecutive patients who underwent temporal lobectomy in whom no definitive hippocampal pathology was present and corresponding tissue from 8 consecutive patients with hippocampal sclerosis were subjected to quantitative estimation of neuronal density and astrogliosis. As compared to amygdaloid tissue from autopsy control subjects with no history of neurological disease, both the patient group with and that without hippocampal sclerosis consistently exhibited severe neuronal loss and gliosis with no quantitative differences between the two groups. Bliaded clinical review of both groups of patients revealed that the development of hippocampal sclerosis was associated with a history of early brain insult; this history was absent in patients with isolated amygdaloid sclerosis, Neuropsychological resting prior to surgery demonstrated that patients with hippocampal sclerosis displayed a greater degree of momory impairment than did those without hippocampal sclerosis. We conclude that amygdaloid sclerosis occurs in the absence of hippocampal sclerosis, and that these patients from a distinct group with no history of early brain insult and milder memory impairment than that seen in patients afficted with hippocampal sclerosis.
Proceedings of the European Stakeholder Summit on experiences and best practices in and around MOOCs (EMOOCS 2016)

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have emerged as a significant environment for online learning, yet little is known about how people actually learn in a MOOC. The study brings together qualitative data from parallel studies in two different MOOCs, comparing learning strategies of people who self-report low and high levels of Self-Regulated Learning (SRL). This comparative study identifies commonalities and differences in learning patterns between these two learner groups and across the two courses. The study draws comparisons in goal-setting, self efficacy, and the selection of learning and task strategies. The study concludes that differences in the learning strategies of learners in each of the MOOCs may be influenced by different course design.
The use of lasers in the treatment of skin cancer: A review

ABSTRACT Background: In considering skin cancer, a number of factors—including effectiveness, simplicity of treatment, cost, and esthetic outcomes—are important to ensure patient’s satisfaction. There are several existing interventions, such as electrodessication and curettage, excision, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, and topical/oral treatments. Laser therapy has emerged as a new promising alternative that should be explored. Objective: To review the literature on the dermatological use of laser therapy in the treatment of skin cancer. Results: A review of articles available on the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases until May 2017 yielded 24 and 6 studies, respectively, on laser therapy in the treatment of skin cancers, particularly melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The four laser subtypes included solid-state, diode, dye, and gas lasers. Conclusion: Review of the literature demonstrates the progress of dermatological understanding of the clinical implications of laser therapy in the treatment of premalignant and malignant neoplasms of the skin, and suggests that this treatment modality might be a viable option for some patients.
Regulation of Neuronal Nitric Oxide and Cyclic GMP Formation by Ca2+

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a messenger molecule in the CNS by activating soluble guanylyl cyclase. Rat brain synaptosomal NO synthase was stimulated by Ca2+ in a concentration‐dependent manner with half‐maximal effects observed at 0.3 μM and 0.2 μM when its activity was assayed as formation of NO and L‐citrulline, respectively. Cyclic GMP formation was apparently inhibited, however, at Ca2+ concentrations required for the activation of NO synthase, indicating a down‐regulation of the signal in NO‐producing cells. Purified synaptosomal guanylyl cyclase was not inhibited directly by Ca2+, and the effect was not mediated by a protein binding to guanylyl cyclase at low or high Ca2+ concentrations. In cytosolic fractions, the breakdown of cyclic GMP, but not that of cyclic AMP, was highly stimulated by Ca2+, and 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine did not block this reaction effectively. The effects of Ca2+ on cyclic GMP hydrolysis and on apparent guanylyl cyclase activities were abolished almost completely in the presence of the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium, whose effect was attenuated by added calmodulin. Thus, a Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase is highly active in synaptic areas of the brain and may prevent elevations of intracellular cyclic GMP levels in activated, NO‐producing neurons.
Job crafting and well-being in the elderly care sector: the effect of over-commitment

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the moderation effect of over-commitment in the job crafting–well-being relationship, in the elderly care sector in Spain. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional design was implemented and a final sample of 353 participants were assessed using the Job Crafting Questionnaire, an adaptation of the Over-commitment Scale from the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Findings A positive interaction between relational and task crafting and over-commitment is observed in the prediction of well-being levels. Specifically, the effect of over-commitment in the task crafting–well-being relationship proved to be statistically significant when opposed to low, medium and high levels of over-commitment. Additionally, the effect of over-commitment in the relational crafting–well-being relationship proved to be statistically significant only when opposed to medium and high levels of over-commitment. Finally, a direct and simple effect was observed between cognitive crafting and well-being, not moderated by over-commitment. Research limitations/implications Implementation of non-behavioral measurements, and a non-longitudinal design are suggested. The development of behavioral measures for job crafting is encouraged, along with the implementation of longitudinal designs sensitive to changes in over-commitment. Possible over-commitment results are biased by an economically contracted environment. Practical implications Job crafting training, over-commitment early detection and further research on job crafting strategies’ preferences are suggested. Originality/value The moderating role of over-commitment in the job crafting–well-being relationship in the elderly care sector represents one of these attempts to better understand evidences of how work-related efforts modify a worker’s psychological functioning and adaptation, which is the reason why, specially in contexts of uncertainty, its study becomes relevant.
Structure and tissue-specific expression of the human metallothionein IB gene

The human metallothionein (MT) IB gene (hMT-IB) is located in a region of human DNA containing at least four tandemly arranged MT genes. As deduced from its sequence, hMT-IB is likely to encode a functional protein. However, the predicted amino acid sequence differed from the hMT-I amino acid sequence in four positions. Most remarkable was the presence of an additional cysteine. Like other MT genes, hMT-IB has at least two copies of the metal-responsive element upstream from the transcription initiation site. These elements probably are responsible for the metal responsiveness of the hMT-IB promoter, leading to inducible expression of fused heterologous genes. Unlike the hMT-IIA and hMT-IA genes described previously, which are expressed in many different cell types, a high level of expression of the endogenous hMT-IB gene could be detected only in human hepatoma and renal carcinoma cell lines. Therefore, this is the first MT gene described which exhibits tissue specificity of expression. This specificity is controlled by a cis-acting mechanism involving methylation, since incubation of nonexpressing cells with an inhibitor of DNA methylation led to activation of the hMT-IB gene. In support of this notion, we found that the 5' flanking region of the hMT-IB gene was highly methylated in HeLa cells, a nonexpressing cell type, but it was not methylated in a hepatoma (expressing) cell line.
Lansoprazole: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical uses

Lansoprazole (Prevacid™, TAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) is a substituted benzimidazole that inhibits gastric acid secretion. This agent is approved for the short-term treatment of erosive reflux oesophagitis, active gastric ulcer, active duodenal ulcer and the treatment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is also approved for the long-term treatment of healed reflux oesophagitis, healed duodenal ulcer, the treatment of hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and the eradication of Helicobacter pylori as a component of triple therapy with lansoprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin, or dual therapy with lansoprazole and amoxicillin. Its mechanism of action is to selectively inhibit the membrane enzyme H+/K+ATPase in gastric parietal cells. In clinical trials, lansoprazole is more effective than placebo or histamine (H2)-receptor antagonists in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis. Lansoprazole administered at a dose of 30 mg daily produced faster relief of symptoms and superior healing rates in patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers or reflux oesophagitis than H2-receptor antagonists. A daily dose of 30 mg lansoprazole reduced epigastric pain faster than omeprazole 20 mg daily in patients with peptic ulcer disease but healing rates at 4 and 8 weeks were similar with both agents at these dosages. Lansoprazole was more effective than H2-receptor antagonists in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and produced similar treatment outcome to omeprazole. Lansoprazole in combination with clarithromycin and amoxicillin produced similar rates of eradication of H. pylori. In clinical trials, lansoprazole is well-tolerated and has a low frequency of side effects similar to that of H2-receptor antagonists or omeprazole.
Do channels of financial integration matter for FDI’s impact on growth? Empirical evidence using a panel

ABSTRACT This paper adds to the debate on the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth which suggest that the link between FDI and economic growth is rather the consequence of both FDI and growth responding endogenously to economic integration. We investigate if the impact of FDI on growth is dependent on the channel of integration used to attract FDI. We use four different indexes of economic integration including Trade Openness, Chinn-Ito, and KOF and our newly constructed index of financial integration. We employ these four indexes to investigate the role played by economic integration in linking FDI and growth. We use a panel consisting of 134 developing countries and data spanning the period 1989-2017 estimated using the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique. The results show that FDI is an important determinant of growth. The results also suggest that at least some of the integration variables do matter and work as channels to attract FDI leading to growth. However, after stratifying countries by income level, we also find that integration matters mainly for high income countries. Integration variables for other income groups do not show much significance. These are interesting results and may have important policy implications.
Channel-Stacked NAND Flash Memory With Tied Bit-Line and Ground Select Transistor

In this letter, a channel-stacked array with tied bit-line (BL) and ground select transistor (GST) is proposed to access each layer independently without additional string select transistors (SSTs) to a conventional planar NAND array. The proposed structure can maximize memory density, since additional SSTs are not required for layer selection and the placement of BLs/word lines is similar to that of the conventional NAND array except for island-type GSTs. Basic memory operations are performed with fabricated devices. The selected layer is erased only by applying erase voltage to the selected common source line (CSL) and by biasing inhibition voltage to other CSLs. Only the selected layer is read by applying the same voltage as BL voltage to the CSLs of the unselected layers. In addition, the selected strings in the selected layer are programmed and other strings in the selected and unselected layers are all inhibited by the combination of CSL and BL voltages. Consequently, stable memory operations are obtained successfully in the proposed structure without interference between stacked layers.
Conventional kinesin‐I motors participate in the anterograde axonal transport of neurotrophins in the visual system

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) anterogradely transport neurotrophins to the midbrain tectum/superior colliculus with significant downstream effects. The molecular mechanism of this type of axonal transport of neurotrophins is not well characterized. We identified kinesin‐I proteins as a motor participating in the anterograde axonal movement of vesicular structures containing radiolabeled neurotrophins along the optic nerve. RT‐PCR analysis of purified murine RGCs showed that adult RGCs express all known members of the kinesin‐I family. After intraocular injection of 125I‐brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into the adult mouse or 125I‐neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) into the embryonic chicken eye, radioactivity was efficiently immunoprecipitated from the optic nerve lysates by anti‐kinesin heavy chain and anti‐kinesin light chain monoclonal antibodies (H2 and L1). Immunoreactivity for the BDNF receptor trkB is also present in the immunoprecipitates obtained by the anti‐kinesin‐I antibodies. The delivery of the H2 antibody in vivo into the mouse RGCs substantially reduced anterograde axonal transport of 125I‐BDNF. Anterograde transport of BDNF was not diminished in kinesin light chain 1 (KLC1) knockout mice. However, this may be due to redundancy in functions between two different isoforms of KLC present in the RGCs, as it was described previously for kinesin heavy chains (Kanai et al. [ 2000 ] J Neurosci 20:6374–6384). These data indicate that kinesin‐I is a protein motor that participates in the anterograde axonal transport of neurotrophins in the chicken and mouse visual pathways. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bioavailability of Alpha-Linolenic Acid in Subjects after Ingestion of Three Different Forms of Flaxseed

Background: Dietary flaxseed may have significant health-related benefits due to its high content of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). However, before extensive work can be undertaken in clinical populations to determine its efficacy, basic information on ALA bioavailability from flaxseed and the physiological effects of its ingestion need to be examined. Objective: The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine the bioavailability of ALA when the flaxseed was ingested in the form of whole seed, milled seed or as flaxseed oil. Design: The flaxseed components (30 g of seed or 6 g of ALA in the oil) were baked into muffins for delivery over a 3 month test period in healthy male and female subjects. Results: Flaxseed ingestion over a 1 month period resulted in significant (P = 0.005) increases in plasma ALA levels in the flaxseed oil and the milled flaxseed supplemented groups. The former group had significantly (P = 0.004) higher ALA levels than the milled flaxseed group. The subjects supplemented with whole flaxseed did not achieve a significant (P > 0.05) increase in plasma ALA levels. An additional two months of flaxseed ingestion did not achieve significantly higher levels of plasma ALA in any of the groups. However, no significant increase was detected in plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in any of the flax-fed groups. There were no changes in plasma cholesterol or triglycerides or in platelet aggregation at any time point in any of the groups. Subjects in all of the groups exhibited some symptoms of gastro-intestinal discomfort during the early stages of the study but these disappeared in the oil and milled seed groups. However, compliance was a problem in the whole flaxseed group. Conclusion: In summary, ingestion of flax oil and milled flaxseed delivered significant levels of ALA to the plasma whereas whole flaxseed did not. Whole seed and oil preparations induced adverse gastrointestinal effects within 4 weeks and these were severe enough to induce the withdrawal of some subjects from these two groups. No one withdrew from the group that ingested milled flaxseed and, therefore, may represent a good form of flaxseed to avoid serious side-effects and still provide significant increases in ALA to the body.
Web-Based Interventions Targeting Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Middle-Aged and Older People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Web-based interventions can improve single cardiovascular risk factors in adult populations. In view of global aging and the associated increasing burden of cardiovascular disease, older people form an important target population as well. Objective In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated whether Web-based interventions for cardiovascular risk factor management reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in older people. Methods Embase, Medline, Cochrane and CINAHL were systematically searched from January 1995 to November 2014. Search terms included cardiovascular risk factors and diseases (specified), Web-based interventions (and synonyms) and randomized controlled trial. Two authors independently performed study selection, data-extraction and risk of bias assessment. In a meta-analysis, outcomes regarding treatment effects on cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, smoking status, weight and physical inactivity) and incident cardiovascular disease were pooled with random effects models. Results A total of 57 studies (N=19,862) fulfilled eligibility criteria and 47 studies contributed to the meta-analysis. A significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference –2.66 mmHg, 95% CI –3.81 to –1.52), diastolic blood pressure (mean difference –1.26 mmHg, 95% CI –1.92 to –0.60), HbA1c level (mean difference –0.13%, 95% CI –0.22 to –0.05), LDL cholesterol level (mean difference –2.18 mg/dL, 95% CI –3.96 to –0.41), weight (mean difference –1.34 kg, 95% CI –1.91 to –0.77), and an increase of physical activity (standardized mean difference 0.25, 95% CI 0.10-0.39) in the Web-based intervention group was found. The observed effects were more pronounced in studies with short (<12 months) follow-up and studies that combined the Internet application with human support (blended care). No difference in incident cardiovascular disease was found between groups (6 studies). Conclusions Web-based interventions have the potential to improve the cardiovascular risk profile of older people, but the effects are modest and decline with time. Currently, there is insufficient evidence for an effect on incident cardiovascular disease. A focus on long-term effects, clinical endpoints, and strategies to increase sustainability of treatment effects is recommended for future studies.
The effect of subcutaneous fat on myoelectric signal amplitude and cross-talk

The effect of subcutaneous fat on myoelectric signal amplitude and cross-talk was studied using finite element (FE) models of electromyogram (EMG) signal propagation. A FE model of the upper arm consisted of skin, fat, muscle and bone tissues in concentric layers. Single muscle fibre action potentials were simulated for muscle fibres at a variety of depths and combined to simulate surface EMG interference patterns. As fat layers of 3, 9 and 18mm were added to the model, the RMS (root mean square) amplitude of the surface EMG signal directly above the centre of the active muscle decreased by 31.3, 80.2 and 90.0%, respectively. Similarly, surface EMG cross-talk above the region of inactive muscle increased as the fat layer thickness increased. The surface EMG RMS amplitude fell below 5% of its value above the centre of the muscle at 14°, 17°, 34° and 47° from the edge of the active muscle with fat layers of 0, 3, 9 and 18mm, respectively. An additional model was developed with the subcutaneous fat layer thinned from 9mm to 3mm in a small, focal region under a pair of recording electrodes. Reducing the fat layer in this manner caused the surface EMG amplitude at the electrodes to increase by 241% and decreased the EMG cross-talk by 68%; this was near the values for the 3mm uniform fat layer. This demonstrates that fat reduction surgery can increase surface EMG signal amplitude and signal independence for improved prosthesis control.
Lack of Association Between the Leptin Receptor Gene (LEPR) Gln223Arg Polymorphism and Late-onset Alzheimer Disease

The principal hypothesis for pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) is the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which emphasizes an imbalance between production and clearance of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Insulin has important effects on the regulation of the Aβ level in the brain, modulating both Aβ production and clearance. An optimal brain insulin level promotes Aβ clearance, which may play protective roles against AD. A functional human leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism, a glutamine to an arginine substitution at codon 223 (Gln223Arg), has been associated with insulin resistance capacity and an altered leptin-binding activity. The LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphism may thus play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. In this study, we examined the association between the LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphism and late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) in a Japanese population. Our sample includes 49 patients with LOAD and 134 normal controls. Our preliminary data showed no significant association between the LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphism and LOAD (genotype distribution: χ2=0.11, df=2, P=0.945; allele frequency: χ2=0.058, df=1, P=0.81, odds ratio=1.08, 95% confidence interval=0.59 to 2.03). Our results suggest that the LEPR polymorphism may not play a major role in the development of LOAD.