Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient sharing of optical resources in low-power optical networks-on-chip

With the ever-growing core counts in modern computing systems, networks-on-chip (NoCs) consume an increasing part of the power budget due to bandwidth and power density limitations of electrical interconnects. To maintain performance and power scaling, alternative technologies are required, with silicon photonics being a promising candidate thanks to high-bandwidth, lowenergy data transmission. To get the best of silicon photonics, sophisticated network designs are required to minimize static power overheads. In this paper, we propose Amon, a low-power optical NoC that decreases the number of μRings, wavelengths, and path losses to reduce power consumption. Amon performs destination checking prior to data transmission on an underlying control network, allowing the sharing of optical bandwidth. Compared to a wide range of state-of-the-art optical, hybrid, and electrical NoCs, Amon improves throughput-per-watt by at least 23% (up to 70%), while reducing power without latency overheads on both synthetic and realistic applications. For aggressive optical technology parameters, Amon considerably outperforms all alternative NoCs in terms of power, highlighting its increasing superiority as technology matures.
Exit-Site Healing Post Catheter Implantation

The study goals were (1) to describe the natural healing process post peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation; (2) to discern factors that predispose to exit infection; (3) to recognize signs of early exit-site infection; and (4) to ascertain the influence, if any, of the healing process on subsequent peritonitis rates and final catheter outcomes. There were 226 evaluations of 43 exits [range 3-6 per exit, mean 5.2 + or - 1.1 (SD)] in 41 patients. Eleven exits were in the parasternal area and 32 exits were in the abdomen. Exit sites and sinus tracts were examined weekly for 6 weeks with a magnifying loupe and macro-photographed. Cultures were taken from sterile saline sinus washouts, periexit smears, and nares. Exit sites were categorized into four types: (1) fast-healing exits had no drainage or minimal moisture deep inside by the third week; epidermis started to enter into the sinus within 2-3 weeks, progressed steadily, and covered at least half the visible sinus tract 4-6 weeks after implantation; (2) in slow-healing exits without infection, epidermis started to enter into the sinus after 3 weeks or progressed slowly and did not cover half the visible sinus by 5 weeks; the sinus might have had serous or serosanguineous, but never purulent, drainage persistent up to 4 weeks; (3) healing interrupted by infection initially looked identical to the fast-healing exit, but within 6 weeks the epidermis did not progress or regress, granulation tissue became soft or frankly fleshy; drainage increased and/or became purulent; (4) in slow-healing exits due to early infection, granulation tissue became soft or fleshy and/or drainage became puru lent by 2-3 weeks; sinus epidermization was delayed or progressed slowly, only after infection was appropriately treated. Compared with patients with fast-healing exits, patients with early infected exits were more likely (although not significantly) to be diabetics, to have an abdominal catheter, wound hematoma, higher body mass index, and higher percentage of positive cultures for Staphylococcus aureus in nares. Early colonization of the exit was the most significant factor in determining the healing pattern: the later the colonization, the better the healing. Positive culture from either washout or periexit smear one week after implantation was associated with early exit infection, a higher peritonitis rate, and a high probability of catheter loss due to an exit/tunnel infection, and higher peritonitis rate; however, the time to the first peritonitis episode was not shorter than in the groups with later exit colonization. We postulate that exit infections and peritonitis rates may be decreased by delaying exit colonization using prophylactic antibiotics for at least 2 weeks after implantation and sterile exit dressing procedure for the entire healing time of approximately 6 weeks.
The Overexpression of Bcl-2 Inhibits UVA-mediated Immediate Apoptosis in Rat 6 Fibroblasts: Evidence for the Involvement of Bcl-2 as an Antioxidant

Abstract We examined the effect of broad spectrum UVA (320–380 nm) and UVB (290–320 nm) radiation on the induction of apoptosis in the rat 6 fibroblast cell line (R6). UVA, but not UVB, induces apoptosis in this cell line. The morphological changes and DNA ladders associated with apoptosis occurred within the first 4 h after UVA irradiation, a phenomenon referred to as “immediate” apoptosis. From previous studies, it is known that Bcl-2 inhibits most types of apoptotic cell death. Overexpression of mouse Bcl-2 in the R6 fibroblasts inhibited the UVA-induced immediate apoptosis. The induction of the heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) gene by UVA is a general response to oxidative stress. As a marker of oxidative stress, we monitored the effect of Bcl-2 overexpression on the level of HO-1 mRNA accumulation after UVA irradiation. The results showed that the overexpression of Bcl-2 in the R6 fibroblasts strongly reduces the level of HO-1 induction from 12.5- to 4.9-fold. We propose that Bcl-2 expression inhibits UVA-induced immediate apoptosis via an antioxidant pathway, suppressing either the generation or effects of specific UVa-mediated reactive oxygen species.
Normal mammalian muscle differentiation and gene control of isocitrate dehydrogenase synthesis.

A new kind of laboratory mammal, the allophenic mouse, has been described by MinltZ.1' 2 These animals are artificial creations, since they are formed by aggregating cleavage-stage blastomeres in vitro from embryos of different genotypes, and the composites are then transferred to an "incubator" mother for further development. Despite their strange history, hundreds of such mosaic embryos have gone oIl to become healthy and long-lived adults. The mice are called allophenic because they display an orderly arrangement of two concurrent, allelically alternative cellular phenotypes, or allophenes.2 Many biological problems are open to examination in these individuals, inasmuch as their component genotypes can be chosen without restriction. In the present report, a question is raised which could have many implications for development or disease: Do cells fuse in the organism? The possibility that fusion between somatic cells might be made to occur experimentally was first suggested by Schultz3 and by Lederberg.4 It was soon taken up with methods chiefly applicable to cell cultures, in a series of imaginative in vitro experiments.5-8 The allophenic mouse provides an ideal way to obtain an unambiguous answer to the question of spontaneous cell fusion in vivo, for any normal tissue or for malignant ones. This study will be primarily concerned with skeletal muscle because, unlike most of the other tissues in the body, its cells are multinucleated rather than uninucleated. Definitive muscle arises from narrow tubules, or myotubes, in which many nuclei are arranged in approximately single file within a common cytoplasm. Myotubes in turn, are derived from uninucleated cells, the spindle-shaped myoblasts. The developmental transition from a uninucleated to a multinucleated state might, hypothetically, occur either by repeated nuclear division without cytoplasmic cleavage or by fusion of myoblasts. The debate as to which of these is in fact the normal mechanism has been sustained for well over half a century. There have been many observations on growth and regeneration of muscle in vivo, but the chief arena in which hypotheses of myogenesis have been tested experimentally has been the in vitro one. Here myoblasts of mammalian and of avian origin have been found to form myotubes by fusion.9-13 The query which has persisted is whether this behavior reflects the situation in the organism, or is an in vitro peculiarity. Within an allophenic mouse, if some cells were to fuse, multinucleated heterokaryons could be formed. In the event that the two strains of cells were each homozygous for a different allele at an appropriate enzyme locus, hybrid enzyme molecules might be synthesized in the heterokaryons. Thus occurrence of cell fusion could be detected by simple biochemical means. An example of an enzyme favorable for this purpose is the nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase found in the supernatant fraction of homogenates of many mouse tissues, including muscle. The autosomal isocitrate
Double-blind, multicenter comparison of sertraline and amitriptyline in elderly depressed patients.

Two hundred forty-one elderly depressed patients entered the 8-week, double-blind phase of this parallel-group, multicenter study; 161 patients were randomized to receive sertraline (50-200 mg/day) and 80 were randomized to receive amitriptyline (50-150 mg/day). Among evaluable patients, there were no statistically significant differences between treatments in any of the primary efficacy variables: change in total Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score (17 items), percentage change in HAM-D score, change in HAM-D Item 1, change in Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Severity score, change in the Depression Factor of the 56-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist, and the CGI Improvement score at the last visit. Similar results were obtained using data from all patients (intention-to-treat analysis), except that amitriptyline was superior in HAM-D Total score (p = .044). The two drugs produced a similar degree of response: on the basis of the HAM-D criterion, 69.4% of sertraline patients and 62.5% of amitriptyline patients responded, and, on the basis of CGI criterion, 79.5% of sertraline and 73.4% of amitriptyline patients responded. Twenty-eight percent of the sertraline patients withdrew from the study because of a treatment-related side effect and 2.5% (4) because of a laboratory abnormality. In comparison, 35% of the amitriptyline patients withdrew because of treatment-related side effects. Sertraline was associated with a statistically lower frequency of somnolence, dry mouth, constipation, ataxia, and pain and a higher frequency of nausea, anorexia, diarrhea/loose stools, and insomnia; thus, anticholinergic effects were less common and gastrointestinal effects were more common with sertraline than with amitriptyline. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Improved glucose tolerance after intensive life style intervention occurs without changes in muscle ceramide or triacylglycerol in morbidly obese subjects

Aim: This study investigated the effect of a 15‐week life style intervention (hypocaloric diet and regular exercise) on glucose tolerance, skeletal muscle lipids and muscle metabolic adaptations in 14 female and 9 male morbidly obese subjects (age: 32.5 ± 2.3 years, body mass index: 46.1 ± 1.9 kg m−2).
Comparative Pharmacology of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

There are 5 BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): bosutinib, ponatinib, imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib. The availability of several therapeutic options raises the possibility of individualizing patient treatment. When evaluating patients’ individual pharmacological profiles, it is important to take into account the differences in the chemical structures of the drugs. Bosutinib, which has a unique interaction and safety profile, is a quinazoline, unlike the other TKIs that have a pyrimidine structure. All 5 TKIs inhibit the BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase, although only ponatinib is active against the strains expressing the T315I mutation. In addition, the 5 TKIs are generally non-selective drugs that can also inhibit other tyrosine kinases, such as cKIT or PDGFR, leading to both benefits in the treatment of some gastrointestinal tumors as well as additional adverse events. These drugs are orally administered and show moderate bioavailability, a large volume of distribution, high protein binding, and elimination after intense metabolism involving various Cytochrome P450 (CYP). They are also substrates of transport proteins and interact with inducers and inhibitors. All TKIs, except bosutinib, can inhibit the activity of transport proteins, leading to important drug interactions. As such, bosutinib is the drug with the better pharmacological profile. There is a close relationship between drug concentration and the beneficial/toxic effects of imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib. Therefore, plasma levels should be monitored to optimize patient treatment. Currently, there is no information for ponatinib. Overall, there is a high incidence of adverse events; although these do not usually lead to treatment discontinuation. All 5 TKIs have a similar safety profile; however, each TKI has unique adverse events. Pharmacological differences can identify the drug that is best suited to each patient, helping optimize CML therapy.
SCAT3 assessment of non-head injured and head injured athletes competing in a large international youth soccer tournament

ABSTRACT To our knowledge, no study has evaluated Sideline Concussion Assessment Tool −3rd Edition (SCAT3) scores during competition in athletes who have not had a head injury. The purpose of our pilot study was to compare SCAT3 scores in non-injured (NI), injured (but not head injured) (I), and head injured (HI) youth soccer players during competition and to establish preliminary baseline data for non-head injured athletes in a competitive setting. The HI group demonstrated significantly more symptoms (M = 9.7, SE = 0.8) than the I and NI (3.3, SE = 1.2, and 3.2, SE = 0.7, respectively) groups. The HI group also demonstrated a significantly higher symptom severity score (25.3, SE = 2.8) than the I and NI groups (7.7, SE = 4.1, and 5.9, SE = 2.5, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in mean total Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) scores and mean subsection SAC scores between the groups. Clinicians should also be aware that non-injured in-competition athletes may report more symptoms on the SCAT3 than those evaluated in a non-competition setting.
Onychomycosis infections in the Middle Black Sea Region, Turkey

Background Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail, is caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and nondermatophyte molds. The causative pathogen and incidence of onychomycosis depend on age, gender, geographic and climatic conditions, living habits, and immune status of the host.
Factors Associated With Students’ Perception of Preceptor Excellence

Objectives. To identify factors associated with preceptor excellence as rated by student pharmacists and to assess the correlation of excellent ratings with years as pharmacist, specialty certification, and faculty appointment status. Methods. A retrospective analysis of student pharmacist evaluations of preceptors from May 2009 to May 2012 was completed to determine factors associated with preceptor excellence. Results. Preceptors who showed an interest in teaching, related to the student as an individual, encouraged discussion, were accessible, provided feedback, served as a role model, were organized, and/or spent increased time with students were more likely to be rated excellent. Conclusion. Serving as role models and showing an interest in teaching demonstrated the strongest association with being an excellent preceptor. Identifying factors students associate with preceptor excellence may result in enhanced preceptor recruitment, development, and training.
The role of propaganda in changing attitudes and policy decisions regarding illegal immigrants

of the Thesis . ii Acknowledgment . iii List of Tables . iv List of Figures . v List of Appendices . vi Introduction and Background . 1 Method . 12 Results . 17 Discussion . 26 References . 33 Tables . 35 Figures . 48 Appendices. 56
The effect of dietary copper sulphate on laying performance, nutrient intake and tissue copper and iron levels of the mature, laying, domestic fowl

1. A cereal-based diet containing 16 mg copper/kg was fed ad lib. to a group of laying hens for 35 d. Five other groups were given this control diet to which was added 120, 240, 480, 960 and 1920 mg Cu/kg (as copper sulphate). 2. Records were kept of daily food intake, water intake and egg production. 3. After 35 d the hens were slaughtered and blood haemoglobin, packed cell volume, Cu and aspartate aminotransferase (EC2.6.1.1) levels assayed. Liver, oviduct, kidney and breast muscle Cu and iron concentrations were measured. 4. Food and water intakes were depressed by the two highest levels of dietary Cu and water intake was increased by the diet with 240 mg added Cu/kg. Both food and water intake showed a quadratic relationship with the level of added dietary Cu. 5. Body-weight loss was increased by the addition of Cu and showed a significant linear relationship with the concentration of added Cu in the diet. Liver and oviduct weights were depressed at the two highest levels of Cu addition. 6. Liver and oviduct Cu and Fe concentrations were significantly increased by high dietary Cu and mean total liver and kidney Cu and Fe showed an increase although for the liver this was not statistically significant.
Comparative Analysis of Gtf Isozyme Production and Diversity in Isolates of Streptococcus mutans with Different Biofilm Growth Phenotypes

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans is the main pathogenic agent of dental caries. Glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) produced by these bacteria are important virulence factors because they catalyze the extracellular synthesis of glucans that are necessary for bacterial accumulation in the dental biofilm. The diversity of GtfB and GtfC isozymes was analyzed in 44 genotypes of S. mutans that showed a range of abilities to form biofilms in vitro. Several approaches were used to characterize these isozymes, including restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the gtfB and gtfC genes, zymographic analysis of the identified GtfB and GtfC genotypes, and quantitation of isozyme production in immunoblot experiments with specific monoclonal antibodies. A high diversity of gtf genes, patterns of enzymatic activity, and isozyme production was identified among the isolates tested. GtfC and, to a lesser extent, GtfB were produced in significantly higher amounts by strains that had high biofilm-forming ability than by strains with low biofilm-forming ability. Biofilm formation was independent of the GtfB and GtfC genotype. Atypical strains that showed an apparent single Gtf isozyme of intermediate size between GtfB and GtfC were also identified. The results indicate that various expression levels of GtfB and GtfC isozymes are associated with the ability of distinct S. mutans genotypes to grow as biofilms, strengthening the results of previous genetic and biochemical studies performed with laboratory strains. These studies also emphasize the need to identify factors that control gtf gene expression.
An electrophysiological marker of arousal level in humans

Deep non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) – also called slow wave sleep (SWS) – and general anesthesia are prominent states of reduced arousal linked to the occurrence of slow oscillations in the electroencephalogram (EEG). Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, however, is also associated with a diminished arousal level, but is characterized by a desynchronized, ‘wake-like’ EEG. This observation challenges the notion of oscillations as the main physiological mediator of reduced arousal. Using intracranial and surface EEG recordings in four independent data sets, we establish the 1/f spectral slope as an electrophysiological marker that accurately delineates wakefulness from anesthesia, SWS and REM sleep. The spectral slope reflects the non-oscillatory, scale-free measure of neural activity and has been proposed to index the local balance between excitation and inhibition. Taken together, these findings reconcile the long-standing paradox of reduced arousal in both REM and NREM sleep and provide a common unifying physiological principle — a shift in local Excitation/ Inhibition balance — to explain states of reduced arousal such as sleep and anesthesia in humans. Significance Statement The clinical assessment of arousal levels in humans depends on subjective measures such as responsiveness to verbal commands. While non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and general anesthesia share some electrophysiological markers, rapid eye movement sleep (REM) is characterized by a ‘wake-like’ electroencephalogram. Here, we demonstrate that non-oscillatory, scale-free electrical brain activity — recorded from both scalp electroencephalogram and intracranial recordings in humans — reliably tracks arousal levels during both NREM and REM sleep as well as under general anesthesia with propofol. Our findings suggest that non-oscillatory brain activity can be used effectively to monitor vigilance states.
Assessment of quality of life in epilepsy patients receiving anti-epileptic drugs in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Objectives: Health-related quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome in epilepsy treatment. Very few studies have been carried out on the quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE-31) in India. The present study aimed to determine the level of health-related QOLIE-31 in patients of epilepsy. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Respondents were adults aged at least 18-year-old with a diagnosis of epilepsy. QOLIE-31 was used for collecting data on health-related QOL. The unpaired t-test or one-way analysis of variance was used to compare means of QOL scores between groups. Results: Totally, 60 patients of epilepsy were included in the study. The mean (standard deviation) total score of QOLIE-31 was 64.61. A score of cognitive and medication effect were significantly better in carbamazepine group as compared to valproate group. Conclusions: Patients on monotherapy had a better QOL as compared to patients receiving polytherapy.
FROM THE BUSINESS STRATEGY RESULT TO A SOURCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE DUAL ROLE OF CSR

Over recent decades corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a major topic in economic literature, especially from a business perspective. This is due to the positive connection between responsible behaviour and profitability. The increasing role of CSR in sustainable growth and employment generation in the world’s economies means that it is now a priority in political agendas across the globe. This work proposes a study of CSR from an international comparative perspective, conducting an analysis of CSR as an intermediate variable. The results confirm the role of CSR as an interface between levels of internationalisation and business innovation, on one hand, and economic development and social change, on the other.