Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voltage-Driven Domain-Wall Motion based Neuro-Synaptic Devices for Dynamic On-line Learning

Conventional von-Neumann computing models have achieved remarkable feats for the past few decades. However, they fail to deliver the required efficiency for certain basic tasks like image and speech recognition when compared to biological systems. As such, taking cues from biological systems, novel computing paradigms are being explored for efficient hardware implementations of recognition/classification tasks. The basic building blocks of such neuromorphic systems are neurons and synapses. Towards that end, we propose a leaky-integrate-fire (LIF) neuron and a programmable non-volatile synapse using domain wall motion induced by magneto-electric effect. Due to a strong elastic pinning between the ferro-magnetic domain wall (FM-DW) and the underlying ferro-electric domain wall (FE-DW), the FM-DW gets dragged by the FE-DW on application of a voltage pulse. The fact that FE materials are insulators allows for pure voltage-driven FM-DW motion, which in turn can be used to mimic the behaviors of biological spiking neurons and synapses. The voltage driven nature of the proposed devices allows energy-efficient operation. A detailed device to system level simulation framework based on micromagnetic simulations has been developed to analyze the feasibility of the proposed neuro-synaptic devices. We also demonstrate that the energy-efficient voltage-controlled behavior of the proposed devices make them suitable for dynamic on-line and lifelong learning in spiking neural networks (SNNs).
KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGISTS TOWARDS CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION

Background: The number of casualties and critically ill patients referred to radiology departments increased during the past decade, which caused the risk of cardiac arrest in radiology departments to increase considerably. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of radiology technologists regarding Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Patients and Methods: After approval a cross sectional study was designed. Ninety five radiology technologists (male and female) were selected in four tertiary referral hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Accordingly, 87 radiologic technologists of which agreed to participate in the study. The researchers developed a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three distinct sections including demographic data, attitude, and technical knowledge questions. Reliability of the technical knowledge questions were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha (76%). Data collection was performed using interview method. Results: Of the total 87 questionnaires, one was incomplete. None of the participants had attended a training program since employment. The average scores of attitude towards CPR and technical knowledge were 80 ± 8.9 and 8.8 ± 2.3, respectively. A correlation was observed between age and work experience (r = 0.866, P ≤ 0.0001), age and technical knowledge (r = 0.380, P ≤ 0.0001), work experience and technical knowledge (r = 0.317, P = 0.003), and attitude and technical knowledge (r = 0.397, P ≤ 0.0001). Also a correlation was observed between work experience and attitude (r = 0.385, P ≤ 0.0001). No significant difference was observed between male and female subjects’ technical knowledge (P ≥ 0.05) and attitude (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that, although the attitude of participants towards CPR was positive in general, their technical knowledge was poor. This finding should urge decision-makers to consider delivering in-service training courses to radiology technologists considering the increasing number of casualties and critically ill patients referred to radiology departments.
Analysis and Design of an Active Stabilizer for a Boost Power Converter System

In electrical power converter systems, the presence of an LC input filter can efficiently reduce the Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) effect, and at the same time protect the converter and the load from being impacted by sharp input impulse voltages. However, for transportation applications, the weight and size limitations of input LC filters for power converters have to be taken into consideration. The reduction of LC filter size may impair the system stability margin and dynamic response. In serve cases, the system may even become unstable. Thus, in order to ensure the system stability while minimizing the input LC filter size, the implementation of a stabilizer for the system control is needed. In this paper, a novel digital stabilizer design method is proposed for a boost power converter with a small input LC filter. The proposed method is based on input filter inductance current measurements and DSP (Digital Signal Processor) -based digital stabilizer design. Simulation and experimentation confirm the validity of the proposed approach.
Early failures among 7,174 primary total knee replacements: A follow-up study from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register 1994-2000

We studied primary total knee replacements (TKRs), reported to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register, operated on between 1994 and 2000. A Cox multiple regression model was used to evaluate differences in survival among the prosthesis brands, their types of fixation, and whether or not the patella was resurfaced. In Norway in 1999, the incidence of knee prosthesis operations was 35 per 100,000 inhabitants. Cement was used as fixation in 87% of the knees, 10% were hybrid and 2% uncemented implants. Bicompartmental (not resurfaced patella) prostheses were used in 65% of the knees. With all revisions as endpoint, no statistically significant differences in the 5-year survival were found among the cemented tricompartmental prostheses brands: AGC 97% (n 279), Duracon 99% (n 101), Genesis I 95% (n 654), Kinemax 98% (n 213) and Tricon 96% (n 454). The bicompartmental LCS prostheses had a 5-year survival of 97% (n 476). The type of meniscal bearing in LCS knees had no effect on survival. Survival with revision for all causes as endpoint showed no differences among types of fixation, or bi- or tricompartmental prostheses. Pain alone was the commonest reason for revision of cemented bicompartmental prostheses. The risk of revision because of pain was 5.7 times higher (p < 0.001) in cemented bicompartmental prostheses than cemented tricompartmental ones, but the revisions mainly involved insertion of a patellar component. In tricompartmental prostheses the risk of revision because of infection was 2.5 times higher than in bicompartmental ones (p = 0.03). Young age (< 60) and the sequelae after a fracture increased the risk of revision. The 5-year survival of the 6 most used cemented tricompartmental knee prostheses brands varied between 95% and 99%, but the differences were not statistically significant. There were more revisions because of pain in bicompartmental than in tricompartmental knees. In tricompartmental knees, however, there were more revisions because of an infection. The relatively few patients with uncemented and hybrid implants showed no improvements in results compared to cemented knee prostheses.
Preventing childhood unintentional injuries--what works? A literature review.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to report on a systematic review of the world literature to provide information about the most effective forms of health promotion interventions to reduce childhood (0-14 years) unintentional injuries. The findings are of relevance to policy makers at a local or national level, to practitioners and researchers. METHODS: The relevant literature has been identified through the use of electronic databases, hand searching of journals, scanning reference lists, and consultation with key informants. RESULTS: Examples of interventions that have been effective in reducing injury include: bicycle helmet legislation, area wide traffic calming measures, child safety restraint legislation, child resistant containers to prevent poisoning, and window bars to prevent falls. Interventions effective in changing behaviour include bicycle helmet education and legislation, child restraint legislation, child restraint loan schemes, child restraint educational campaigns, pedestrian education aimed at the child/parent, provision of smoke detectors, and parent education on home hazard reduction. For the community based campaigns, the key to success has been the sustained use of surveillance systems, the commitment of interagency cooperation and the time needed to develop networks and implement a range of interventions. Education, environmental modification and legislation all have a part to play and their effect in combination is important. CONCLUSION: The design of evaluations in injury prevention needs to be improved so that more reliable evidence can be obtained. Better information is needed on process, so that successful strategies can be replicated elsewhere. There is also a need for literature reviews on effectiveness to be updated regularly and for their findings to be widely disseminated to policy makers, researchers, and practitioners.
Analysis of temporal gene expression profiles: clustering by simulated annealing and determining the optimal number of clusters

MOTIVATION Cluster analysis of genome-wide expression data from DNA microarray hybridization studies has proved to be a useful tool for identifying biologically relevant groupings of genes and samples. In the present paper, we focus on several important issues related to clustering algorithms that have not yet been fully studied. RESULTS We describe a simple and robust algorithm for the clustering of temporal gene expression profiles that is based on the simulated annealing procedure. In general, this algorithm guarantees to eventually find the globally optimal distribution of genes over clusters. We introduce an iterative scheme that serves to evaluate quantitatively the optimal number of clusters for each specific data set. The scheme is based on standard approaches used in regular statistical tests. The basic idea is to organize the search of the optimal number of clusters simultaneously with the optimization of the distribution of genes over clusters. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm has been evaluated by means of a reverse engineering experiment, that is, a situation in which the correct distribution of genes over clusters is known a priori. The employment of this statistically rigorous test has shown that our algorithm places greater than 90% genes into correct clusters. Finally, the algorithm has been tested on real gene expression data (expression changes during yeast cell cycle) for which the fundamental patterns of gene expression and the assignment of genes to clusters are well understood from numerous previous studies.
Effect of race and insurance status on presentation, treatment, and mortality in patients undergoing surgery for diverticulitis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of race and insurance status on patient presentation, treatment, and mortality in individuals who underwent surgery for diverticulitis. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample file from 1999 to 2003. SETTING A 20% representative sample of all hospitals in 37 states in the United States. PATIENTS Patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of diverticulitis who subsequently underwent either colectomy and/or colostomy (n = 45,528). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Odds ratios (ORs) for association of race (black vs white) and insurance status (Medicaid or self-pay [inadequate insurance] vs other insurance) with (1) complicated presentation, (2) colostomy, and (3) in-hospital mortality. RESULTS On multivariate analysis, black race was significantly associated with complicated presentation (OR, 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.30) and mortality (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.06-1.86) but not with receiving a colostomy. In contrast, insurance status was significantly associated with complicated presentation (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.08-1.36), receiving a colostomy (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.89-2.32), and mortality (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.82-3.82). CONCLUSIONS Black patients were no more likely than white patients to undergo colostomy; however, race was a significant variable on patient presentation. Therefore, racial differences in outcome can be attributed to differences in patient presentation and not to differences in treatment received. Lack of adequate health insurance is a more powerful predictor of disease severity, suboptimal surgical treatment, and mortality.
Central abnormality in baroreflex control of renal nerves in hypertension.

The purpose of our study was to determine if there is a central abnormality in the arterial baroreceptor reflex control of renal nerve activity in renal hypertension. We recorded simultaneously the changes in aortic (input) and renal (output) nerve traffic during phenylephrine-induced increases in arterial pressure in 14 normotensive and 11 hypertensive rabbits [mean arterial pressure (+/- SE) in conscious state 106 +/- 2 and 141 +/- 6 mmHg, respectively]. Changes in aortic nerve traffic were considered representative of changes in total arterial baroreceptor input to the central nervous system. Renal nerve traffic was inhibited by 5.2 +/- 0.5% per mmHg rise in arterial pressure in normotensive rabbits but by only 2.5 +/- 0.3% per mmHg in hypertensive rabbits (P less than 0.05). Increases of aortic nerve traffic during increases in arterial pressure were similar in the two groups. These data suggest that there is a central abnormality in the baroreflex control of renal nerve activity in renal hypertensive rabbits. This hypothesis was tested further by sectioning vagal, carotid, and aortic nerves and stimulating electrically the left aortic depressor nerve while recording changes in blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve traffic. Decreases of renal traffic during stimulation of myelinated fibers alone were strikingly impaired (P less than 0.001) at all frequencies in hypertensive rabbits. Responses were not impaired significantly during stimulation of myelinated plus nonmyelinated fibers. Arterial pressure decreases were not different during stimulation of myelinated fibers or of both myelinated and nonmyelinated fibers. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Psychological Function of Out‐of‐Body Experiences: So Who Needs the Out‐of‐Body Experience?

What psychological needs are served by the out-of-body experience (OBE)? On the basis of a review of the literature in rather diverse areas several hypotheses on this issue are formulated in terms of Murray's conceptual system of manifest needs. A simple survey of the need profiles of students reporting OBEs provides support for only one of the hypotheses, namely, that such individuals are concerned with and attentive to their mental processes. Unanticipated by the literature was the finding that people reporting OBEs exhibit low levels of need for achievement and need for deference. If a sophisticated theory of the OBE is to be developed much more research must be conducted into the psychological, parapsychological, and neurophysiological correlates of the phenomenon.
Middle Pleistocene Prehistory in Southwestern Europe: The State of Our Knowledge and Ignorance

Since the 1960s the archaeology of Middle Pleistocene Europe has undergone profound changes in methodology and theoretical orientation, accompanied by a substantial increase in behavioral information. This paper is a selective discussion of (1) topics that are poorly known in the U.S., such as the nature of the site data base and the evidence for early bone tools, (2) the congruence between American and European approaches, such as the formation-process approach, the refitting method, and studies of reduction sequences, and (3) topics that are of direct interest to English-speaking archaeologists, such as the question of behavioral differences between early European hominids and modern humans.
Adhesively bonded versus non-bonded amalgam restorations for dental caries.

BACKGROUND Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the commonest diseases which afflicts mankind, and has been estimated to affect up to 80% of people in high-income countries. Caries adversely affects and progressively destroys the tissues of the tooth, including the dental pulp (nerve), leaving teeth unsightly, weakened and with impaired function. The treatment of lesions of dental caries, which are progressing through dentine and have caused the formation of a cavity, involves the provision of dental restorations (fillings). OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of adhesive bonding on the in-service performance and longevity of restorations of dental amalgam. SEARCH STRATEGY Databases searched July 2009: the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register; CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 3); MEDLINE (1950 to July 2009); and EMBASE (1980 to July 2009). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials comparing adhesively bonded versus traditional non-bonded amalgam restorations in conventional preparations utilising deliberate retention, in adults with permanent molar and premolar teeth suitable for Class I and II amalgam restorations only. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened papers, extracted trial details and assessed the risk of bias in the included study. MAIN RESULTS One trial with 31 patients who received 113 restorations was included. At 2 years only 3 out of 53 restorations in the non-bonded group were lost, which was attributed to a lack of retention, and 55 of 60 bonded restorations survived with five unaccounted for at follow-up. Post-insertion sensitivity was not significantly different (P > 0.05) at baseline or 2-year follow-up. No fractures of tooth tissue were reported and there was no significant difference between the groups or matched pairs of restorations in their marginal adaptation (P > 0.05). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence to either claim or refute a difference in survival between bonded and non-bonded amalgam restorations. This review only found one methodologically sound but somewhat under-reported trial. This trial did not find any significant difference in the in-service performance of moderately sized adhesively bonded amalgam restorations, in terms of their survival rate and marginal integrity, in comparison to non-bonded amalgam restorations over a 2-year period. In view of the lack of evidence on the additional benefit of adhesively bonding amalgam in comparison with non-bonded amalgam, it is important that clinicians are mindful of the additional costs that may be incurred.
The landing(s) of Philae and inferences about comet surface mechanical properties

The Philae lander, part of the Rosetta mission to investigate comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, was delivered to the cometary surface in November 2014. Here we report the precise circumstances of the multiple landings of Philae, including the bouncing trajectory and rebound parameters, based on engineering data in conjunction with operational instrument data. These data also provide information on the mechanical properties (strength and layering) of the comet surface. The first touchdown site, Agilkia, appears to have a granular soft surface (with a compressive strength of 1 kilopascal) at least ~20 cm thick, possibly on top of a more rigid layer. The final landing site, Abydos, has a hard surface.
Inoculation with Azospirillum, associated with nitrogen fertilization in maize

The biological nitrogen fixation is an alternative to supply the nitrogen needed for maize. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development and yield of maize in response to inoculation with Azospirillum associated with nitrogen fertilization. We conducted two field experiments in the summer harvest, the first in the 2000/2001 crop year in the region of Marechal Cândido Rondon, under conventional tillage, and second in the 2002/2003 agricultural year in the region of Cascavel, under no tillage. The experimental design in both experiments was a randomized complete block, with four replications, 2x2x2 factorial, with two levels of nitrogen at sowing (zero and 20 kg ha-1), two levels of inoculum (zero and 200 g ha-1) and two levels of nitrogen in topdressing (zero and 100 kg ha-1). There was evaluated the height of ear insertion, total plant height, leaf N content, shoot dry biomass and grain yield. The height of ear insertion and total plant height were not influenced by the factors under study. Nitrogen fertilization at sowing increased the leaf N content, causing the opposite effect when combined with inoculation. Inoculation with Azospirillum in the absence of nitrogen, provide productivity increases of 15.4% and 7.4% for 2000/2001 and 2002/2003 crops, respectively. The inoculation provided productivity similar to that obtained with 100 kg ha-1 in topdressing in crop 2000/2001, while in association with the topdressing, reduced productivity and shoot dry biomass in crop 2002/2003.
Plasma Homocysteine Is Not Associated With HIV Serostatus or Antiretroviral Therapy in Women

Background:The effects of HIV serostatus and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on plasma homocysteine (HCY) are uncertain. Methods:Plasma HCY was assayed in a cross-sectional study of 249 HIV-infected and 127 HIV-uninfected women at the Bronx Women's Interagency HIV Study site. Results:Mean plasma HCY was 7.42 ± 2.68 in HIV-infected women and 7.18 ± 2.66 μmol/L in HIV-uninfected women (P = 0.40). Hyperhomocysteinemia (defined as HCY >10 μmol/L) was seen in 16.9% and 13.4% of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women, respectively (P = 0.45). Among HIV-infected women, cART use was not associated with HCY level. Compared with the lowest quartile, women with HCY in the highest quartile had lower mean serum vitamin B12 and RBC folate levels. In multivariate analysis that did not include micronutrient levels, age, serum creatinine, and lower CD4% were significantly associated with plasma HCY level in HIV-infected women. Conclusions:Plasma HCY was not associated with HIV serostatus or use of cART in this cross-sectional study. Reduced availability of folate cofactors for HCY remethylation in HIV-infected women with lower folate intake and decreased health status may influence HCY levels.
Targeted therapy with a cytotoxic somatostatin analog, AN‐238, inhibits growth of human experimental endometrial carcinomas expressing multidrug resistance protein MDR‐1

Chemoresistance mediated by membrane transporters such as multidrug resistance (MDR‐1) glycoprotein remains a challenge in the chemotherapy treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma. Targeted chemotherapy might overcome this resistance. The cytotoxic somatostatin (SST) analog, AN‐238, consists of a superactive derivative of doxorubicin (DOX), 2‐pyrrolino‐DOX (AN‐201), linked to the SST analog carrier, RC‐121. This conjugate binds strongly to SST receptor subtypes (sst) 2a (sst2a) and 5 (sst5) and can be targeted to tumors that express these receptors.
Evaluation of buffered peptone water ( BPW ) containing sodium thioglycolate as enrichment broth in combination with BPW as pre-enrichment broth for isolation of Salmonella from radish sprouts

The buffered peptone water (BPW) containing 0.5% sodium thioglycolate (BPWST) as enrichment broth in combination with BPW as pre-enrichment broth for strains of Salmonella from radish sprouts was evaluated. False-positive colonies were found on CHROMagar Salmonella agar used as an isolation medium in 28 out of 30 radish sprout samples (93%) on incubation using BPW, while such colonies were found in 3 samples (17%) using BPWST. The growth of non-starved and starved Salmonella strains in BPWST was found to range from 10 5 10 7 CFU/ml, while non-starved Pseudomonas which produces false-positive colonies was markedly inhibited, at <100 CFU/ml. All starved inoculated Salmonella strains were recovered from radish sprouts, and they were detected in small numbers on starved Salmonella inoculation using both BPW as pre-enrichment and BPWST as enrichment (BPW-BPWST method). The use of the BPW-BPWST method is effective for the isolation of Salmonella from radish sprouts. It is thought that the findings obtained from this study can be applied for the isolation of Salmonella from environments and various hydroponically cultivated raw vegetables.