Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An 820μW 9b 40MS/s Noise-Tolerant Dynamic-SAR ADC in 90nm Digital CMOS

Current trends in analog/mixed-signal design for battery-powered devices demand the adoption of cheap and power-efficient ADCs. SAR architectures have been recently demonstrated as able to achieve high power efficiency in the moderate-resolution/medium- bandwidth range in Craninckx, J. and Van der Plas, G. , (2007). However, when the comparator determines in first instance the overall performance, as in most SAR ADCs, comparator thermal noise can limit the maximum achievable resolution. More than 1 and 2 ENOB reductions are observed in Craninckx, J. and Van der Plas, G. , (2007) and Kuttner, F. , (2002), respectively, because of thermal noise, and degradations could be even worse with scaled supply voltages and the extensive use of dynamic regenerative latches without pre-amplification. Unlike mismatch, random noise cannot be compensated by calibration and would finally demand a quadratic increase in power consumption unless alternative circuit techniques are devised.
Factor V Leiden and factor II G20210A in preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome

Background. The association of factor V and factor II mutations with preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, and a possible role of the two thrombophilic mutations in the pathogenesis of the diseases have been previously investigated. The results, however, are still inconclusive and contradictory.
Wound healing around bone-anchored percutaneous devices in experimental diabetes mellitus.

The objective of this investigation was to study the influence of impaired wound healing on the tissue response to bone-anchored percutaneous devices. For this reason, diabetes mellitus was induced in rabbits with alloxan. Untreated rabbits were used as controls. Skin-penetrating titanium implants were inserted in the tibial bone of diabetic and healthy animals. The enossal part of half of the implants was provided with a thin magnetron-sputtered calcium-phosphate coating. The soft-tissue and bone response was evaluated clinically, histologically, and histomorphometrically. We did not observe more infectious complications in diabetic animals. Furthermore, histological analysis revealed no differences in soft-tissue response between diabetic and healthy animals. A close bone-implant contact was observed for all implants. Nevertheless, the density of cortical bone around the implants was clearly lower in diabetic animals compared with control animals. In control rabbits, but not diabetic animals, coated implants showed more downgrowth of bone into the marrow cavity than uncoated ones. In general, diabetes mellitus was shown to have no adverse effect on the clinical performance of the percutaneous devices. We think that this is due to the good fixation of the implants in diabetic as well as control animals. Therefore, we conclude that the presence of impaired healing in chronic health disorders like diabetes is no contra-indication for the anchorage of percutaneous implants in cortical bone.
Physical self-regulation training for the management of temporomandibular disorders.

AIMS To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a brief skills training program for the management of chronic facial muscle pain. This program of physical self-regulation (PSR) involved primarily training in breathing, postural relaxation, and proprioceptive re-education. METHODS Physical self-regulation training was presented by a dentist during two 50-minute sessions spaced at 3-week intervals and was compared to a standard dental care (SDC) program that included a flat-plane intraoral appliance and self-care instructions provided by a dentist. Participants (n = 44) were initially evaluated by a dentist experienced in the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain and were determined to have myofascial pain (Type 1a and 1b diagnoses per the Research Diagnostic Criteria) prior to random assignment to either the PSR or SDC conditions. Posttreatment evaluations 6 weeks and 26 weeks after treatment had begun were conducted by a dentist who was not aware of which treatment the participants received. RESULTS Initial results indicated that pain severity and life interference from pain were reduced in both groups (P < 0.001), while perception of control was increased (P < 0.001), as was incisal opening without pain (P < 0.05). At the 26-week follow-up, the PSR group reported less pain (P < 0.04) and greater incisal opening, both with (P < 0.04) and without (P < 0.01) pain, than the SDC group. There were also significant decreases (P < 0.05) in affective distress, somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, tender point sensitivity, awareness of tooth contact, and sleep dysfunction for both groups over time. CONCLUSION The findings support the use of PSR for the short- and long-term management of muscle pain in the facial region. These results are discussed in terms of the potential mechanisms by which self-regulation treatment strategies are effective for the management of these pain disorders.
Predictors of mortality in mechanically ventilated patients

Objectives: There are scarce data from India validating scoring systems used to predict outcome in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. This study prospectively compared the organ system failure (OSF), the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II, and the APACHE III, scores on patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the medical intensive care unit, to predict outcome. Methods: 200 consecutive patients requiring mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit were recruited. OSF, APACHE II, and APCHE III scores were calculated at admission and daily for one week or until discharge in all patients. Other variables recorded include age, sex, diagnosis, oxygen therapy before ventilation, complications on ventilation, duration in hospital before ventilation, duration of ventilation, type of respiratory failure, alveolar arterial oxygen gradient, P/F ratio, use of tracheostomy, time on ventilator before tracheostomy, muscle relaxant used, fluid balance, inotrope support. Logistic regression analysis and area under the curve were computed to determine which variables independently predict outcome. Results: Of the 200 patients, at discharge 143 patients (71.5%) had died. The factors that independently predicted outcome among these patients on mechanical ventilation were the type of respiratory failure (type I) OR = 2.7 (p = 0.02), the use of inotropes OR 2.4 (p = 0.04), and the APACHE II score OR = 1.8 (p = 0.008) for every five point increase in APACHE II score. Conclusions: Type 1 respiratory failure, the use of inotropes, and the APACHE II score measured at admission are significant independent predictors of mortality in the patients on mechanical ventilation.
Investigating Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes Towards English Mobile Learning

The increase of mobile devices, the availability of several features, and the decrease in terms of cost of smartphones made them useful not only for communication, but also for learning. Similarly, the importance of English in higher education makes it one of the most fundamental foreign languages that students want to learn. Many students look for different ways to learn English. Among these ways is Mobile Learning which becomes nowadays a useful tool for language learning due to the evolution of mobile technology. However, little is known about the attitudes of Moroccan students towards English M-learning. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes of using M-learning by university students to learn English. The study involved 286 students representing different universities, levels, and departments. A questionnaire was distributed and interviews were carried out to answer the research questions. Results revealed that university students have positive attitudes towards English M-learning. The total average mean score obtained for the used scale was M=3.80. Additionally, the qualitative findings confirmed some results of the quantitative data and displayed other important findings related to feelings and obstacles towards English M-learning. The findings are of great importance for teachers, practitioners, administrators, and websites/apps programmers.
Mesenteric Lymph Nodes Confine Dendritic Cell-Mediated Dissemination of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium and Limit Systemic Disease in Mice

ABSTRACT In humans with typhoid fever or in mouse strains susceptible to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) infection, bacteria gain access to extraintestinal tissues, causing severe systemic disease. Here we show that in the gut-draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), the majority of S. Typhimurium-carrying cells show dendritic-cell (DC) morphology and express the DC marker CD11c, indicating that S. Typhimurium bacteria are transported to the MLN by migratory DCs. In vivo FLT-3L-induced expansion of DCs, as well as stimulation of DC migration by Toll-like receptor agonists, results in increased numbers of S. Typhimurium bacteria reaching the MLN. Conversely, genetically impaired DC migration in chemokine receptor CCR7-deficient mice reduces the number of S. Typhimurium bacteria reaching the MLN. This indicates that transport of S. Typhimurium from the intestine into the MLN is limited by the number of migratory DCs carrying S. Typhimurium bacteria. In contrast, modulation of DC migration does not affect the number of S. Typhimurium bacteria reaching systemic tissues, indicating that DC-bound transport of S. Typhimurium does not substantially contribute to systemic S. Typhimurium infection. Surgical removal of the MLN results in increased numbers of S. Typhimurium bacteria reaching systemic sites early after infection, thereby rendering otherwise resistant mice susceptible to fatal systemic disease development. This suggests that the MLN provide a vital barrier shielding systemic compartments from DC-mediated dissemination of S. Typhimurium. Thus, confinement of S. Typhimurium in gut-associated lymphoid tissue and MLN delays massive extraintestinal dissemination and at the same time allows for the establishment of protective adaptive immune responses.
A narrative perspective on institutional work in environmental governance – insights from a beach nourishment case study in Sweden

Institutional work offers a promising lens for understanding institutional change, focusing on the efforts of actors in creating, maintaining or disrupting institutions. In this paper, we explore the capacity of a narrative approach to provide insights on institutional work, using a case study from the coast of Sweden. We identify four narratives that compete in the policy discourse regarding erosion and beach nourishment in the coastal province of Scania. The narratives reveal that actors hold different beliefs concerning the magnitude of the erosion problem, the division of responsibilities and the suitability of sand nourishment as a coastal protection measure. The narrative competition is considered reflective of past institutional discussions and ongoing institutional work in coastal management in Scania, confirming that narratives are used as sense-making and meaning-giving devices in institutional discussions.
Macronutrient and energy contents of human milk fractions during the first six months of lactation.

AIM To study the macronutrient and energy contents of human milk fractions during the first 6 mo of lactation. STUDY DESIGN A total of 483 milk samples, including 52 pairs of fore- and hindmilk samples from 20 mothers, 253 samples from 53 donor mothers and 126 samples from 36 mothers of preterm infants, were collected longitudinally, starting at 1 wk postpartum and continuing monthly up to 6 mo. Protein, lactose and fat contents were measured and energy density estimated. RESULTS The protein content was significantly lower in fore- and hindmilk than in donor or preterm milk during the first months of lactation. In donor and preterm milk, the protein content declined consistently from 2.0 g/100 ml at 1 wk to half of that at 6 mo, and a similar trend was observed in fore- and hindmilk. Lactose content showed no significant changes between the groups or in the course of lactation. The fat content was highest in hindmilk, being approximately two- to threefold that of foremilk. Accordingly, hindmilk included 25-35 kcal/100 ml more energy on average than foremilk. CONCLUSIONS The fat content of human milk increases in relation to breast emptying, while the other macronutritients of milk show only slight changes. When enteral feeding with high-energy human milk is preferred, as in the case of very preterm infants, hind milk, with its higher fat content, would be a natural choice.
A comparison of the virucidal properties of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, bromine chloride and iodine

SUMMARY Chlorine dioxide, bromine chloride and iodine were compared with chlorine as virucidal agents. Under optimal conditions all disinfectants were effective at low concentrations, but each disinfectant responded differently to acidity and alkalinity. Disinfection by chlorine was impaired by the presence of ammonia, but the other disinfectants retained much of their potency. Disinfection of poliovirus by iodine resulted in structural changes in the virions as seen by electron microscopy, but the other disinfectants were able to inactivate poliovirus without causing any apparent structural changes.
Myosin Va maneuvers through actin intersections and diffuses along microtubules

Certain types of intracellular organelle transport to the cell periphery are thought to involve long-range movement on microtubules by kinesin with subsequent handoff to vertebrate myosin Va (myoVa) for local delivery on actin tracks. This process may involve direct interactions between these two processive motors. Here we demonstrate using single molecule in vitro techniques that myoVa is flexible enough to effectively maneuver its way through actin filament intersections and Arp2/3 branches. In addition, myoVa surprisingly undergoes a one-dimensional diffusive search along microtubules, which may allow it to scan efficiently for kinesin and/or its cargo. These features of myoVa may help ensure efficient cargo delivery from the cell center to the periphery.
Effect of Lime on Criconemella xenoplax and Bacterial Canker in Two California Orchards.

In a peach orchard with an initial soil pH of 4.9, preplant application of 0, 13.2, 18.2, 27.3, or 54.2 kg lime/tree site altered soil pH (range after 1 year = 4.8-7.3) but did not affect numbers of Criconemella xenoplax or tree circumference. Liming also failed to reduce the incidence of bacterial canker, which affected 17% of the trees by the sixth year after planting. Four years after planting, numbers of C. xenoplax exceeded 400/100 cm(3) soil, regardless of treatment. Trees with higher densities of C. xenoplax had a higher incidence of canker. The nematophagous fungus Hirsutella rhossiliensis was not detected until the fourth year. Thereafter, the incidence of H. rhossiliensis and percentage C. xenoplax parasitized by H. rhossiliensis increased, but the increases lagged behind increases in numbers of nematodes. In an almond orchard with an initial soil pH of 4.6, preplant application of 0, 6.4, 12.8, or 25.0 kg lime/tree site altered soil pH (range after 1 year = 4.7-7.1). Numbers of C. xenoplax remained low (<20/100 cm(3) soil), whereas numbers of Paratylenchus sp. increased to high levels (>500/100 cm(3) soil), regardless of treatment. Low levels (<20/100 cm(3) soil) of H. rhossiliensis -parasitized Paratylenchus sp. were detected. No bacterial canker occurred, but tree circumference was greater after 6 years if soil pH was intermediate (6.0-7.0).
Meteor burst communications

The characteristics of meteor burst communications are described and compared to those of HF and satellite systems. The two generic types of MB systems, broadcast and channel-probing systems, are explained. In systems using the broadcast protocol, the transmitter knows nothing about the occurrence of bursts or trails and transmits continuously for a sufficient duration to permit all recipients to receive the message/data with the desired probability. For practical purposes, the optimum burst or block duration for such systems is around 100-200 ms, based on the characteristics of the predominant trails. Channel-probing MB systems are more common and are commercially available in several versions. Here the transmitter repeatedly sends a short (typically 5-20 ms) probe signal until it receives a similarly short message response, indicating the availability of a suitable trail. A third, intermediate type of protocol with hybrid features does not probe the channel with a short signal, but starts repeatedly transmitting the first packet, in effect using it as a probe signal. Fundamental design issues and/or parameters of specific relevance to MB communication systems are discussed. Some historical and more recent MB systems are examined. <<ETX>>
Two_Arch2: An Improved Two-Archive Algorithm for Many-Objective Optimization

Many-objective optimization problems (ManyOPs) refer, usually, to those multiobjective problems (MOPs) with more than three objectives. Their large numbers of objectives pose challenges to multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) in terms of convergence, diversity, and complexity. Most existing MOEAs can only perform well in one of those three aspects. In view of this, we aim to design a more balanced MOEA on ManyOPs in all three aspects at the same time. Among the existing MOEAs, the two-archive algorithm (Two_Arch) is a low-complexity algorithm with two archives focusing on convergence and diversity separately. Inspired by the idea of Two_Arch, we propose a significantly improved two-archive algorithm (i.e., Two_Arch2) for ManyOPs in this paper. In our Two_Arch2, we assign different selection principles (indicator-based and Pareto-based) to the two archives. In addition, we design a new Lp-norm-based (p <; 1) diversity maintenance scheme for ManyOPs in Two_Arch2. In order to evaluate the performance of Two_Arch2 on ManyOPs, we have compared it with several MOEAs on a wide range of benchmark problems with different numbers of objectives. The experimental results show that Two_Arch2 can cope with ManyOPs (up to 20 objectives) with satisfactory convergence, diversity, and complexity.
Sun exposure, UV irradiance and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in pregnant women in rural north India

Abstract Objective To document the effect of season and environmental pollution on UVB irradiance; and to estimate cutaneous vitamin D synthesis in village women in different seasons. Design Radiant UVB energy was measured by a spectroradiometer in different seasons and, in April and May, on successive days in open areas at the city outskirts, at a crowded inner-city area and the villages of our participants. Clothing, outdoor activity pattern and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) levels were documented. Setting Rural north India, latitude 26·8°N. Subjects Pregnant women (n 139, aged 20–40 years). Results UVB irradiance ranged from 56 µW/cm2 in January to 470 µW/cm2 in June. Proportion of skin exposed was 18·5 % in summer and 9·5 % in winter. Mean (sd) daily duration of sun exposure was 3·2 (0·2) h during winter and 2·1 (0·4) h during summer. Cutaneous vitamin D synthesis was estimated to be 19·25 µg (770 IU) during winter and 37·25 µg (1490 IU) during summer. Mean (sd) serum 25(OH)D was 28 (15) nmol/l during winter (92 % of participants with <50 nmol/l) and reached 56 (20) nmol/l during late summer (60 % with >50 nmol/l). Mean (sd) UVB irradiance at peak summer was significantly higher at the open areas and in the villages than at the inner-city location (340 (45) and 310 (60) v. 250 (50) µW/cm2, P=0·03). Conclusions In our population, at latitude 26·8°N, poor skin exposure is a limiting factor in all seasons. During winter, low UVB radiation energy also contributes. Particulate pollution limits UVB irradiance. Vitamin D supplementation during winter may be necessary.
Comparison of mRNA and lentiviral based transfection of natural killer cells with chimeric antigen receptors recognizing lymphoid antigens

Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells can be engineered to kill resistant B-lymphoid cell lines and primary B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells after transfection with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) recognizing CD19 or CD20. Here we compared mRNA electroporation with lentiviral vector (LV) transduction for both CARs. Transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of previously NK-92 resistant CLL cells were significantly higher after mRNA electroporation than after LV transduction. Further cell sorting of LV-transduced NK-92 cells resulted in a highly enriched population of transduced cells with significant target cell lysis. Compared to NK-92 cells, peripheral blood and cord blood cells consistently showed < 10% transfection efficiency with mRNA, while LV transduction varied between 8 and 16% for peripheral blood and 12 and 73% for cord blood. These results suggest that LV should be used to achieve sufficient transgene expression if blood NK cells are considered for CAR transduction. Transfection with mRNA results in clinically relevant levels of transfection only in NK-92 cells.
Novelty-seeking in Parkinson's disease after deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) is about 50%. OBJECTIVE The authors investigated differences among PD patients treated by deep brain stimulation (DBS), by drugs alone (noDBS), and healthy control subjects. METHOD Samples of 22 subjects in each group were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and Hamilton scales for anxiety and depression (Ham-A and Ham-D). RESULTS Higher scores emerged on two Novelty-Seeking subscales in PD-DBS patients. Ham-A and Ham-D scores were lower in PD-DBS patients than in PD-noDBS patients and control subjects. Rigidity and non-impulsiveness were lower in PD-DBS than in PD-noDBS patients. CONCLUSION Further studies should investigate whether or not these changes in personality are a consequence of the motor and depression improvement after DBS.
Who drinks where: youth selection of drinking contexts.

BACKGROUND Different drinkers may experience specific risks depending on where they consume alcohol. This longitudinal study examined drinking patterns, and demographic and psychosocial characteristics associated with youth drinking in different contexts. METHODS We used survey data from 665 past-year alcohol-using youths (ages 13 to 16 at Wave 1) in 50 midsized California cities. Measures of drinking behaviors and drinking in 7 contexts were obtained at 3 annual time points. Other characteristics included gender, age, race, parental education, weekly disposable income, general deviance, and past-year cigarette smoking. RESULTS Results of multilevel regression analyses show that more frequent past-year alcohol use was associated with an increased likelihood of drinking at parties and at someone else's home. Greater continued volumes of alcohol (i.e., heavier drinking) was associated with increased likelihood of drinking at parking lots or street corners. Deviance was positively associated with drinking in most contexts, and past-year cigarette smoking was positively associated with drinking at beaches or parks and someone else's home. Age and deviance were positively associated with drinking in a greater number of contexts. The likelihood of youth drinking at parties and someone else's home increased over time, whereas the likelihood of drinking at parking lots/street corners decreased. Also, deviant youths progress to drinking in their own home, beaches or parks, and restaurants/bars/nightclubs more rapidly. CONCLUSIONS The contexts in which youths consume alcohol change over time. These changes vary by individual characteristics. The redistribution of drinking contexts over the early life course may contribute to specific risks associated with different drinking contexts.