Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overcoming the drawback of lower sense margin in tunnel FET based dynamic memory along with enhanced charge retention and scalability

The work reports on the use of a planar tri-gate tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) to operate as dynamic memory at 85 °C with an enhanced sense margin (SM). Two symmetric gates (G1) aligned to the source at a partial region of intrinsic film result into better electrostatic control that regulates the read mechanism based on band-to-band tunneling, while the other gate (G2), positioned adjacent to the first front gate is responsible for charge storage and sustenance. The proposed architecture results in an enhanced SM of ∼1.2 μA μm−1 along with a longer retention time (RT) of ∼1.8 s at 85 °C, for a total length of 600 nm. The double gate architecture towards the source increases the tunneling current and also reduces short channel effects, enhancing SM and scalability, thereby overcoming the critical bottleneck faced by TFET based dynamic memories. The work also discusses the impact of overlap/underlap and interface charges on the performance of TFET based dynamic memory. Insights into device operation demonstrate that the choice of appropriate architecture and biases not only limit the trade-off between SM and RT, but also result in improved scalability with drain voltage and total length being scaled down to 0.8 V and 115 nm, respectively.
Neonatal purulent meningitis in southern Tunisia: Epidemiology, bacteriology, risk factors and prognosis

Objectives: To study the epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological aspects and outcome of purulent neonatal meningitis (PNM). Methodology: Retrospective analysis of 55 cases of PNM hospitalized in the pediatric ward of Hedi Chaker Hospital from 1990 to 2012. Infants less than 29 days of age were included. The diagnosis was made on either the presence of bacteria in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or the combination of pleocytosis >30 cells/mm3, protein level >1.3 g/l and glucose level <2.2 mmol/l or CSF/blood glucose ratio <0.4. Results: The male:female sex ratio was 1.75. One or more maternal risk factors for infection were found in 24 cases. The main symptoms were fever and poor feeding. Soluble antigen was positive in four cases and cultures had isolated the bacteria in 28 cases. The mortality rate was 40%. The sequelae rate in the survivors was 16.4%. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the severity of PNM with high rates of mortality and neurological sequelae.
Association between adenomas of rectosigmoid colon and metabolic syndrome features in a Chinese population

Background and Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MS) consists of a cluster of diseases, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and high blood pressure. The purpose of the present study was to assess the association of MS with adenomas of the rectosigmoid colon, a well‐established precancerous lesion.
Effect of the Administration of Monofluorophosphate on Alpha-Macroglobulin Levels and the Clinical Course of Pancreatitis in Rats

Abstract Clinical course of pancreatitis depends partially on the proteinases-antiproteinases balance. Monofluorophosphate (CAS 10163-15-2, MFP) binds to plasmatic antiproteinase alpha-macroglobulin (AM), modifies its homeostasis and, as a consequence, has potential effects on the progression of pancreatitis and other inflammatory processes. The progress of incomplete closed duodenal loop induced pancreatitis was studied in rats with AM homeostasis perturbed by the oral administration of MFP. Twelve rats received 80 µmol MFP/day orally for one month before the induction of pancreatitis. Controls did not receive MFP. Plasmatic amylase activity and AM levels were measured. The day of death was recorded and histopathology of pancreas was performed. Higher survival and less histopathologic changes were observed in rats treated with MFP previous to pancreatitis compared to rats without MFP. Amylase activities were higher in controls and AM levels decreased significantly in controls respect to MFP-treated animals. Higher survival, lower amylasemia and less pancreatic damage in MFP-treated animals suggest a protective effect of the drug in the clinical course of pancreatitis.
Surgical Normalization of the Shoulder Joint in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Obstetric brachial plexus injuries (OBPI) result in bony derangements that include posterior humeral head subluxation, glenoid retroversion, and joint incongruity. Often these deformities are accompanied by scapular hypoplasia, elevation, and rotation, which further exacerbate shoulder dysfunction. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of triangle tilt surgery on glenohumeral joint anatomy in 100 OBPI patients. The triangle tilt surgery restores the distal acromioclavicular triangle from an abnormal superiorly angled position to a neutral position, thereby restoring normal glenohumeral anatomic relationships.Axial computed tomography and magnetic resonance images taken before and 12- to 38-months after surgery showed significant improvements in both posterior subluxation and glenoid version. Patients with complete posterior glenohumeral dislocation improved from 19% preoperatively, to 11% postoperatively. Glenoid shape was also improved, with 81% of patients classified as concave or flat after surgery compared with 53% before surgery.Triangle tilt surgery allows for both repositioning and remodeling of the glenohumeral joint. These anatomic improvements after triangle tilt surgery hold promise for improving shoulder function and quality of life for OBPI patients.
Real-Time Vehicle Detector with Dynamic Segmentation and Rule-based Tracking Reasoning for Complex Traffic Conditions

Vision-based vehicle detector systems are becoming increasingly important in ITS applications. Real-time operation, robustness, precision, accurate estimation of traffic parameters, and ease of setup are important features to be considered in developing such systems. Further, accurate vehicle detection is difficult in varied complex traffic environments. These environments include changes in weather as well as challenging traffic conditions, such as shadow effects and jams. To meet real-time requirements, the proposed system first applies a color background to extract moving objects, which are then tracked by considering their relative distances and directions. To achieve robustness and precision, the color background is regularly updated by the proposed algorithm to overcome luminance variations. This paper also proposes a scheme of feedback compensation to resolve background convergence errors, which occur when vehicles temporarily park on the roadside while the background image is being converged. Next, vehicle occlusion is resolved using the proposed prior split approach and through reasoning for rule-based tracking. This approach can automatically detect straight lanes. Following this step, trajectories are applied to derive traffic parameters; finally, to facilitate easy setup, we propose a means to automate the setting of the system parameters. Experimental results show that the system can operate well under various complex traffic conditions in real time.
Allopurinol for the treatment of aggressive behaviour in patients with dementia

Aggressive behaviour is commonly observed in patients with dementia, and current pharmacological treatments are still deficient in terms of efficacy and tolerability. Allopurinol is an inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, with previously suggested anti-aggressive effects. After successful treatment of aggression in two patients, we performed a case-series study with allopurinol 300 mg a day orally for 6 weeks (increasing 300 mg every 2 weeks if the response was less than 50%) in six patients with dementia associated with prominent aggressive behaviour who failed to respond to two previous treatment strategies. Five patients were considerably responsive to allopurinol (four with 300 mg within 2 weeks and one with 600 mg), apparently without side-effects, which is in accordance with its well-established safety and tolerability profile. The observed therapeutic effect of allopurinol might be due to the inhibition of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, possibly decreasing production of oxigen-free radicals or promoting the accumulation of purines. Controlled studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary observations.
Arylsulfatase A: An Important Metabolic Factor in Pathophysiology of Different Diseases

Abstract Arylsulfatase A (ARSA) is a lysosomal enzyme that plays an important role in catalysis of degradation of cerebrosidesulphate. The deficiency of this lysosomal enzyme causes an autosomal recessive disorder, called metachromatic leucodystrophy. However, a low ARSA activity can be observed in clinically healthy people, called ARSA pseudodeficiency. In our study we investigated the possible linkage between ARSA activity and sulfatide deficiency causing characteristic aspects of degenerative diseases, such as end stage kidney disease, type 2 Diabetes mellitus, Parkinson syndrome, prostate cancer and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. We used a spectrophotometric method to determine the activity of ARSA. This method of enzyme dosage is based on a 4 hour long hydrolysis of the ARSA enzyme on 4-nitrocatechol sulfate (p-NCS) substrate. The unit of this measurement is nmol/ml/4h. Our findings show significant values in type 2 diabetes, Parkinson syndrome and chronic kidney disease. The importance of sulfatide in these diseases is well-known, thus presumably the variation of the ARSA’s activity might play an important role in the pathophysiology of these diseases, involving a vicious cycle between sulfatide degradation andthese diseases.
Evaluation of rat C6 malignant glioma using spectral computed tomography

To investigate the use of multi-parameter spectral computed tomography (CT) for the evaluation of rat C6 glioma, 15 male Wistar rats were seeded with C6 glioma cells into the right basal ganglia and scanned 12 days later using spectral CT. Brain sections corresponding to scanned regions were immunostained for proliferation marker protein Ki67 (Ki67). Pearson's correlation coefficients between spectral CT parameters and Ki67 expression were determined. Thirteen rats survived 12 days and developed tumors. Optimal contrast-to-noise ratio achieved was 65 keV. Brain regions containing liquefactive necrosis, solid tumor, peripheral tumor and normal tissue differed significantly with regard to the spectral curve slope (0.24±0.46, 1.81±1.09, 0.8±0.43 and 0.11±0.27, respectively; P<0.01), CT value (27.2±4.51, 103.18±35.48, 65.19±13.72 and 38.07±7.36, respectively; P<0.01) and iodine concentration (2.41±3.86, 16.05±9.75, 6.76±3.66 and 1.06±2.35, respectively; P<0.0001). The percentage of Ki67-positive cells correlated with the CT value (r=0.903; P<0.001), spectral curve slope (r=0.821; P<0.001) and iodine concentration (r=0.813; P<0.001). Spectral CT can detect microstructural changes within malignant gliomas and potentially provide important information regarding tumor proliferation and the extent of the invasion.
Hemisphere Specific Impairments in Reach-to-Grasp Control After Stroke: Effects of Object Size

Background and objective. The authors investigated hemispheric specialization for the visuomotor transformation of grasp preshaping and the coordination between transport and grasp in individuals poststroke. Based on a bilateral model, the authors hypothesized that after unilateral stroke there would be hemisphere-specific deficits revealed by the ipsilesional limb. Methods. Right or left stroke and age- and limb-matched nondisabled participants performed rapid reach-to-grasp of 3 sized objects. The authors quantified grasp preshaping as the correlation between initial aperture velocity and peak aperture, and peak aperture and object diameter. A cross correlation analysis using transport velocity and aperture size was performed to quantify transport-grasp coordination. All statistical tests for hemisphere-specific deficits involved comparisons between each stroke group and the matched nondisabled group. Results. Overall, the right stroke group, but not left stroke group, demonstrated prolonged movement time. For grasp preshaping there was a higher correlation between initial aperture velocity and peak aperture for the right stroke group and a lower correlation between peak aperture and object diameter for the left stroke group. For transport-grasp coordination the correlation between transport velocity and aperture size was higher for the left stroke group and lower for the right stroke group, which also demonstrated a higher standard deviation of time lag. Conclusions. After left stroke, there was deficient scaling of grasp preshaping and stronger transport-grasp coordination. In contrast, after right stroke, grasp preshaping began earlier and transport-grasp coordination was weaker. Together, these hemisphere-specific deficits suggest a left hemisphere specialization for the visuomotor transformation of grasp preshaping and a right hemisphere specialization for transport-grasp coordination.
SECURITY OF JOURNALISTS: MAKING THE CASE FOR MODELLING ARMED VIOLENCE AS A MEANS TO PROMOTE HUMAN SECURITY

Attacks on journalists are worthy of particular attention because, first, this profession constitutes a distinct vulnerable group in conflict areas and, second, there are wider implications for human security because of the importance of media reports pertaining to armed violence. We use a methodology for studying attacks on journalists that builds their “security profile” and which could be applied to any issue relating to both human security and the use of weapons. We conclude, first, that media reports can generate meaningful data about the multiple potential effects of armed violence on any particular vulnerable group (as exemplified by journalists working in conflict areas) and, second, that the method presented could be a useful tool in collective international efforts to enhance human security, including in disarmament, by supplementing field-based studies about the effects of armed violence.
Use of Hormone Testing for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Male Hypogonadism and Monitoring of Testosterone Therapy: Application of Hormone Testing Guideline Recommendations in Clinical Practice.

INTRODUCTION Clinical practice guidelines recommend that testosterone (T) levels be measured on ≥2 occasions to confirm a diagnosis of hypogonadism, gonadotropins be measured to determine whether hypogonadism is primary or secondary, and T levels be measured to monitor the adequacy of T therapy. However, it is not known whether hormone testing as recommended by guidelines is routinely performed in real-world clinical practice. AIM The aim of this study was to assess the use of hormone testing for the diagnosis and evaluation of hypogonadism and monitoring of T therapy in clinical practice. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study of the Truven Health Marketscan(®) Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Insurance Databases during 2010-2012, 63,534 men over 18 years old who received T therapy and had continuous medical benefit enrollment for 1 year prior to and 6 months after T therapy initiation were included in this analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportion of patients who received ≥2, 1, or no T-level determinations prior to or following T therapy initiation. RESULTS Seventy-one percent of hypogonadal men had T measured at least once and 40% had ≥ 2 tests, but only 12% of men had luteinizing hormone and/or follicle-stimulating hormone levels measured prior to T therapy initiation. Following T therapy initiation, 46% had ≥1 follow-up T measurements. CONCLUSIONS Appropriate use of T and gonadotropin levels in clinical practice as recommended by guidelines is suboptimal, increasing the possibility of overdiagnosis of male hypogonadism, underdiagnosis of secondary hypogonadism, and inappropriate T therapy use and management. Further investigation is needed into reasons for nonadherence to guidelines for appropriate hormone testing to inform future quality improvement efforts.
The association between neck pain, the Neck Disability Index and cervical ranges of motion: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Cervical Ranges of Motion (CROM) are measurement tools that are used for neck pain patients. OBJECTIVE To review the literature to determine how the NDI is associated with neck pain and CROM outcomes. METHODS Computer based searches of 5 databases were performed and supplemented by internet and hand searching of article references and "related citations. " RESULTS The search yielded 23 studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and these were summarized into four categories: NDI, NDI and other questionnaires, whiplash and NDI and cervical range of motion and NDI. The NDI was shown to be a well validated and reliable self-reported questionnaire, especially when compared to other questionnaires, in both neck pain and whiplash (WAD) patients. There are very few studies that discuss the NDI and cervical range of motion. CONCLUSION This review outlines the strength of the NDI as a self-reported neck disability questionnaire, but also demonstrates a need for further research to explore the association between the NDI, neck pain and cervical ranges of motion.
Human Golf gene polymorphisms and vulnerability to bipolar disorder

&NA; Two intronic polymorphisms of the human alpha subunit of the olfactory G‐protein (Golf) are described. They were detected with single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) methods and confirmed by sequencing both strands. These single base pair (bp) substitutions occur in introns 3 (an A/G at 35 bp 3′ from the exon 3/intron 3 5′ splice site) and 10 (an T/G at 7 bp 5′ from the 3′ splice site). Both polymorphisms are relatively common, with minor allele frequencies of 31% (intron 3) and 16% (intron 10). The intron 3 variant shows no linkage disequilibrium with an intron 5 (CA)n microsatellite located approximately 50 kb 3′ from the intron 3 variant, among a small group of German individuals with schizophrenia. The intron 3 variant is interesting because it may create an ‘in‐frame’ cryptic splice site which, if activated, would add 12 residues to exon 3. The intron 10 variant is interesting because a purine is substituted for a pyrimidine in the ‘polypyrimidine’ tract of the 3′ splice site, a single base substitution of the type which has been associated with aberrant splicing in the androgen receptor gene. Psychiatr Genet 8:235‐238 © 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Processing Gain in a Recursive Single Parity Check Product Code with Non-Gaussian Weight Distribution

We present a recursive single parity check product code, which was originally introduced as a constant amplitude multi-code CDMA. The proposed code has two advantageous features over conventional parity check product codes. First, the proposed code does not have any low-weight codewords. We derived a closed-form solution for the weight distribution. The code weights are symmetrically distributed at (N plusmn radic(N))/2, where N is the full-length of a codeword. Second, the processing gain in the despreading process after the iterative decoding provides additional improvement in BER performance. As a result, the proposed scheme has excellent error correcting capability. When soft-output iterative decoding is applied, the performance is away from the Shannon capacity limit by only 0.95 dB. Hence, the proposed code is a simple coding scheme with a good error correction performance.
A Virtual Reality Platform to study RF propagation in body area networks

In-depth understanding of the propagation media is essential for the design of efficient wireless communication protocols for body area networks. Obtaining sufficient amount of data for different scenarios via physical experiment is either difficult or in the case of implant communication, nearly impossible. Therefore, a detailed 3D virtual reality platform can be extremely useful in highlighting the RF propagation characteristics inside and around the human body. Such a platform provides necessary insight into radio wave propagation for body area networks. It can also be used to identify the best scenarios for limited physical experimentation and measurements. In this paper, a virtual reality platform that gives us the ability to observe three-dimensional RF propagation from implantable and wearable sensors is presented. We have used this virtual environment as a scientific instrument to study various Radio Frequency communication channels inside or on the surface of a human body.
Memory: from the laboratory to everyday life

One of the key goals of memory research is to develop a basic understanding of the nature and characteristics of memory processes and systems. Another important goal is to develop useful applications of basic research to everyday life. This editorial considers two lines of work that illustrate some of the prospects for applying memory research to everyday life: interpolated quizzing to enhance learning in educational settings, and specificity training to enhance memory and associated functions in individuals who have difficulties remembering details of their past experiences.
Surface-plasmon quantum cascade microlasers with highly deformed resonators

We report the demonstration of surface-plasmon microcylinder quantum cascade lasers with circular and deformed resonators. An improved self-alignment fabrication technique was developed that allows the use of wet etching, necessary to achieve smooth and clean surfaces, in combination with the deposition of the surface-plasmon-carrying metal layer up to the very edge of the resonator, where the optical mode is mostly located. The diameter of the microcylinders ranges from 75 to 180 /spl mu/m while their deformation coefficient /spl epsiv/ ranges from /spl epsiv/=0 to /spl epsiv/=0.32. Circular microcylinder lasers show a reduction of /spl sim/50% of the threshold current density with respect to devices with standard ridge-waveguide resonators. On the other hand, highly deformed microcylinder lasers exhibit a complex mode structure, suggesting the onset of chaotic behavior.
Le partage de la valeur ajoutee en France et en Allemagne

Le partage de la valeur ajoutee en France et en Allemagne a connu d'importantes inflexions durant les 30 dernieres annees qui peuvent etre reliees aux fluctuations des termes de l'echange, a la progression du chomage ou encore a l'evolution des taux d'interet. Apres avoir derive une equation de partage de la valeur ajoutee de portee generale, nous examinons sur la periode 70-96 la robustesse de ses determinants.
Fludarabine, Bortezomib, Myocet® and rituximab chemotherapy in relapsed and refractory mantle cell lymphoma

[abstract]. Gooskens, J., Jonges, M. , Claas, E.C. , Meijer, A. & Kroes, A.C. (2009) Prolonged influenza virus infection during lymphocytopenia and frequent detection of drug-resistant viruses. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 199, 1435–1441. Kobayashi, S. , Kimura, F. , Kobayashi, A. , Sato, K. & Motoyoshi, K. (2008) Influenza virus reactivation after remission with oseltamivir treatment in a patient undergoing nonmyeloablative bone marrow transplantation. Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy, 14, 308– 310. Moscona, A. (2005) Neuraminidase inhibitors for influenza. The New England Journal of Medicine, 353, 1363–1373. Nicoll, A. & Coulombier, D. (2009) Europe’s initial experience with pandemic (H1N1) 2009-mitigation and delaying policies and practices. Eurosurveillance, 14, 1–6. Wade, J.C. (2006) Viral infections in patients with hematological malignancies. Hematology/American Society of Hematology. Education Program, 2006, 368–374.