Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disparity between β-Core Levels in Pregnancy Urine and Serum: Implications for the Origin of Urinary β-Core

We used a highly purified preparation of the naturally occurring core fragment of hCGβ (β-core) and a new RIA for β-core to investigate the concentrations and behavior of β-core in serum and urine. We collected serum and 24-h urine specimens from healthy pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy. The concentrations of β-core in serum were determined by analysis of fractions eluted from Sephadex G-100. Serum concentrations of β-core immunoreactivity were very low (0.13–1.25 μg/L), while large amounts of β-core were excreted in urine during pregnancy (as much as 4–5 mg/day). Interference with measurement by serum factors did not account for the low levels of β-core immunoreactivity in pregnancy serum. Based on the known urinary clearance rate of β-core in healthy nonpregnant subjects, we calculated that urinary clearance of serum β-core accounts for only about 1% of the β-core in pregnancy urine. We conclude that during pregnancy, the concentrations of β-core in plasma are measurable, but extre.
A hierarchical approach to production control of reentrant semiconductor manufacturing lines

A three-layer hierarchical approach for inventory control and production optimization of semiconductor reentrant manufacturing lines is developed. At the top layer, the parameters of an aggregated model are obtained online while, at the intermediate layer, production optimization and inventory control via model predictive control are performed. The aim of these two layers is aggregated (or averaged) supervisory control. The bottom layer consists of a distributed control policy which issues discrete-event decisions to track the aggregated targets issued by the optimizer. This layer accomplishes shop-floor control. The algorithm is applied to a discrete-event manufacturing line problem developed by Intel Corporation, which captures the main challenges posed by reentrant manufacturing lines.
Epidemiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) are the most frequently occurring types of primary liver cancer and together are among the most common incident cancers worldwide. There are a number of modifiable and nonmodifiable HCC and ICC risk factors that have been reported. A review of the existing literature the epidemiology and risk factors for HCC and ICC was performed. There are a number of major infectious, lifestyle, metabolic, and heritable risk factors for both HCC and ICC. Some of these risk factors are either potentially preventable (eg, alcohol and tobacco use) or are currently treatable (eg hepatitis infection). In most cases, the molecular pathway or mechanism by which these etiologic factors cause primary liver cancer has not been well delineated. However, in nearly all cases, it is believed that a given risk factor causes liver injury and inflammation which results in chronic liver disease. Given the rising prevalence of several common HCC and ICC risk factors in the western world, the best opportunities for improving the care of these patients are either through the prevention of modifiable risk factors that are associated with the development of chronic liver disease or the identification of at risk patients, ensuring they are appropriately screened for the development of primary liver cancer, and initiating treatment early.
Outcomes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap and Implant-Based Reconstruction

Despite the growing elderly population, there is limited research specific to this demographic concerning breast reconstruction (BR). Lack of evidence-based BR recommendations in older populations may contribute to misconceptions and subsequent underutilization of BR, especially autologous BR. Patients who received either deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap BR or tissue expander/implant (TE/I) BR by a single surgeon between July 2011 and July 2015 were surveyed postoperatively by using the psychometrically validated BREAST-Q questionnaire to determine patient satisfaction. Patients were categorized into younger and older cohorts based on median age (55 years) and further stratified based on the type of reconstruction. Of the 311 patients surveyed, 95 patients responded (31% response rate). Overall, younger patients (<55 years old, n = 42) compared with older patients (≥55 years old, n = 53) had significantly higher satisfaction with their outcome (mean difference [MD] 12.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-23.15; P = 0.034). In the TE/I group (n = 58), younger patients had significantly higher satisfaction with breasts (MD: 14.17; 95% CI: 2.58-25.75; P = .017) and outcome (MD: 18.25; 95% CI: 3.95-32.5; P = .010) with fewer complications (odds ratio [OR]: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.37-7.86; P = .010). In the DIEP flap group (n = 55), there was no significant difference inr any of the satisfaction outcomes between younger and older patients. Younger patients tend to be more satisfied and demonstrate fewer complications with implant-based BR. In contrast, both younger and older patients undergoing abdominally based autologous BR were equally satisfied with comparable outcomes.
HYSDEL-a tool for generating computational hybrid models for analysis and synthesis problems

This paper presents a computational framework for modeling hybrid systems in discrete-time. We introduce the class of discrete hybrid automata (DHA) and show its relation with several other existing model paradigms: piecewise affine systems, mixed logical dynamical systems, (extended) linear complementarity systems, min-max-plus-scaling systems. We present HYSDEL (hybrid systems description language), a high-level modeling language for DHA, and a set of tools for translating DHA into any of the former hybrid models. Such a multimodeling capability of HYSDEL is particularly appealing for exploiting a large number of available analysis and synthesis techniques, each one developed for a particular class of hybrid models. An automotive example shows the modeling capabilities of HYSDEL and how the different models allow to use several computational tools.
The Effects of Whey Protein Supplementation on Performance and Hormonal Adaptations Following Resistance Training in Novice Men

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of whey protein supplementation on performance and hormonal changes during an 8-week resistance training program in novice weight trained men. Forty recreational weight trained men were randomly divided into a whey protein supplementation (WP) group (n=20), and a placebo (PL) group (n=20). Each group was given either whey protein or a pla cebo in a double-blind manner to be taken orally for eight weeks (1.8 g/kg/day). WP and PL groups performed the same weight training program 3 days, each week for 8 weeks. The training consisted of 3 sets of 8 repetitions, and the initial weight was 80% of the pre-1RM. Sub jects were tested for performance and blood hormone concentrations before and after the 8-week period. The WP group achieved greater increases in body weight, explosive muscular power, muscle strength and blood testosterone when compared to the PL group; however, cortisol concentrations were significantly more reduced in WP group when compared to the PL group. It can, therefore, be concluded that within 8 weeks whey protein supplementation was found to increase explosive muscular power, body weight and muscle strength.
Time-to-go weighted optimal guidance with impact angle constraints

In this paper, the optimal guidance law with terminal constraints of miss distance and impact angle is presented for a constant speed missile against the stationary target. The proposed guidance law is obtained as the solution of a linear quadratic optimal control problem with the energy cost weighted by a power of the time-to-go. Systematic selection of guidance gains and trajectory shaping are possible by adjusting the exponent of the weighting function. A new time-to-go calculation method taking account of the trajectory curve is also proposed for implementation of the proposed law. Nonlinear and adjoint simulations are performed to investigate the performance of the proposed guidance law and time-to-go calculation method.
Semi-Active Suspension Control Using &#8220;Fast&#8221; Model-Predictive Techniques

The problem considered in this paper is the design and analysis of a control strategy, for semi-active suspensions in road vehicles, based on model-predictive control (MPC) techniques. The optimal control law we compute using predictive techniques, aims to optimize the suspension performances by minimizing a quadratic cost function, while ensuring that the magnitude of the forces generated by the control law satisfies the physical constraints of passive damping. The online computation difficulties related to the predictive-control law are overcome by means of a "fast" implementation of the MPC algorithm. A performance comparison with well-established semi-active control strategies, such as Sky-Hook control and clipped control is presented. The achievable performance improvements of the proposed design procedure over Sky-Hook and clipped control laws are shown by means of simulation results obtained using a nonlinear half car model which proved to give an accurate description of the overall vertical dynamics of a vehicle equipped with continuous damping suspension systems
Intonational speech prosody encoding in the human auditory cortex

Brain mechanisms of pitch perception To emphasize a word, we briefly raise our pitch; this alone can change the meaning of a sentence. Tang et al. performed high-density brain recordings on clinically monitored neurosurgical patients. They discovered that intonational pitch is represented by a highly specialized and dedicated neural population in the auditory cortex. Discrete cortical sites extracted intonational information in real time from the speech signal. These sites were overlapping with, but functionally independent from, sites that encode other critical aspects of speech, such as the phonemes and information about the speaker. Science, this issue p. 797 Selective neuronal populations in the human temporal gyrus represent speech intonation through the encoding of relative pitch. Speakers of all human languages regularly use intonational pitch to convey linguistic meaning, such as to emphasize a particular word. Listeners extract pitch movements from speech and evaluate the shape of intonation contours independent of each speaker’s pitch range. We used high-density electrocorticography to record neural population activity directly from the brain surface while participants listened to sentences that varied in intonational pitch contour, phonetic content, and speaker. Cortical activity at single electrodes over the human superior temporal gyrus selectively represented intonation contours. These electrodes were intermixed with, yet functionally distinct from, sites that encoded different information about phonetic features or speaker identity. Furthermore, the representation of intonation contours directly reflected the encoding of speaker-normalized relative pitch but not absolute pitch.
On-line scheduling of real-time tasks for reconfigurable computing system

Efficient task scheduling is very important for obtaining high performance in reconfigurable computing system. Previous researches mostly concentrate on the spatial placement of tasks, and did not pay enough attention to temporal factors. This paper focuses on the on-line scheduling of real-time tasks with known executing time, and introduces the notion of recognition-complete for scheduling algorithms, that is the algorithm can arrange the start time of a newly arrived task as early as possible. A new on-line scheduling algorithm is proposed, which achieves recognition-complete by using the technique of time window. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm gains a prominent improvement in scheduling performance over previous algorithms
Pathologic Changes in Human Ear After Kanamycin

Introduction Kanamycin is an antibiotic drug produced from a species of bacteria termed Streptomyces kanamyceticus, and it resembles neomycin in its structural formula. It is active against many strains of Gram-positive, and acid-fast organisms. It is sometimes given, in spite of its known ototoxic effects, when other less toxic antibiotics fail. Kanamycin is cleared from the blood stream by granular filtration, the half-life of blood levels being normally about 4 hours.1In patients with impaired renal function, very small doses can create high blood levels which result in an ototoxic effect. We have acquired the temporal bones from 2 patients suffering hearing loss from the administration of this drug. Report of Cases Case1. —History: This 27-year-old Negro female was admitted to Brooke Army Hospital on April 15, 1959, with the diagnosis of abruptio placenta and eclampsia. Emergency cesarean section was performed. The following day she experienced renal failure and
Host DNases prevent vascular occlusion by neutrophil extracellular traps

Blood DNases hack the NET Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are lattices of processed chromatin decorated with select secreted and cytoplasmic proteins that trap and neutralize microbes. However, their inappropriate release may do more harm than good by promoting inflammation and thrombosis. Jiménez-Alcázar et al. report that two deoxyribonucleases (DNases), DNASE1 and DNASE1L3, have partially redundant roles in degrading NETs in the circulation (see the Perspective by Gunzer). Knockout mice lacking these enzymes were unable to tolerate chronic neutrophilia, quickly dying after blood vessels were occluded by NET clots. Furthermore, the damage unleashed by clots during septicemia was enhanced when these DNases were absent. Science, this issue p. 1202; see also p. 1126 Deoxyribonucleases work together to control vascular occlusion by neutrophil-induced blood clots. Platelet and fibrin clots occlude blood vessels in hemostasis and thrombosis. Here we report a noncanonical mechanism for vascular occlusion based on neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), DNA fibers released by neutrophils during inflammation. We investigated which host factors control NETs in vivo and found that two deoxyribonucleases (DNases), DNase1 and DNase1-like 3, degraded NETs in circulation during sterile neutrophilia and septicemia. In the absence of both DNases, intravascular NETs formed clots that obstructed blood vessels and caused organ damage. Vascular occlusions in patients with severe bacterial infections were associated with a defect to degrade NETs ex vivo and the formation of intravascular NET clots. DNase1 and DNase1-like 3 are independently expressed and thus provide dual host protection against deleterious effects of intravascular NETs.
Optimal Real-Time Scheduling of Control Tasks With State Feedback Resource Allocation

This paper proposes a new approach for the optimal integrated control and real-time scheduling of control tasks. First, the problem of the optimal integrated control and nonpreemptive off-line scheduling of control tasks in the sense of the H2 performance criterion is addressed. It is shown that this problem may be decomposed into two subproblems. The first subproblem aims at finding the optimal nonpreemptive off-line schedule and may be solved using the branch and bound method. The second subproblem uses the lifting technique to determine the optimal control gains, based on the solution of the first subproblem. Second, an efficient online scheduling algorithm is proposed. This algorithm, called the reactive pointer placement (RPP) scheduling algorithm, uses the plant state information to dispatch the computational resources in a way that improves control performance. Control performance improvements as well as stability guarantees are formally proven. Finally, simulations as well as experimental results are presented in order to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Sleep Spindles

Sleep spindles are extensively studied electroencephalographic rhythms that recur periodically during non–rapid eye movement sleep and that are associated with rhythmic discharges of neurons throughout the thalamocortical system. Their occurrence thus constrains many aspects of the communication between thalamus and cortex, ranging from sensory transmission, to cortical plasticity and learning, to development and disease. I review these functional aspects in conjunction with novel findings on the cellular and molecular makeup of spindle-pacemaking circuits. A highlight in the search of roles for sleep spindles is the repeated finding that spindles correlate with memory consolidation in humans and animals. By illustrating that spindles are at the forefront understanding on how the brain might benefit from sleep rhythms, I hope to stimulate further experimentation.
Bottom-Up and Top-Down Attention

The brain is limited in its capacity to process all sensory stimuli present in the physical world at any point in time and relies instead on the cognitive process of attention to focus neural resources according to the contingencies of the moment. Attention can be categorized into two distinct functions: bottom-up attention, referring to attentional guidance purely by externally driven factors to stimuli that are salient because of their inherent properties relative to the background; and top-down attention, referring to internal guidance of attention based on prior knowledge, willful plans, and current goals. Over the past few years, insights on the neural circuits and mechanisms of bottom-up and top-down attention have been gained through neurophysiological experiments. Attention affects the mean neuronal firing rate as well as its variability and correlation across neurons. Although distinct processes mediate the guidance of attention based on bottom-up and top-down factors, a common neural apparatus, the frontoparietal network, is essential in both types of attentional processes.
Review of arts-based therapies for Canadian youth with lived experience of mental illness

Canadian youth can experience a range of mental health problems and mental illness, many of which perpetuate into adulthood. In contrast with preventative and medical care for physical problems, youth who experience difficulties with mental health or illness meet restricted access to evaluation, diagnostic and treatment services. Obstacles vary from low funding levels for services to the fear of being stigmatised by society. Conventional therapies could be complemented by the use of arts-based therapies, which are reported to offer a tangible alternative and could relieve delays in treatment. However, research regarding the treatment options, monitoring and assessment of outcomes is based largely on narrative evidence or idiographic studies, thus constraining the dissemination of supporting evidence and limiting the range of treatments for use by practitioners. While arts-based therapies receive support from many areas, including people with lived experience of mental health problems and illness, it is argued that the development of a theoretical foundation and extensive empirical research are required to develop the potential that arts-based therapies have to offer.
Tessellation-based multi-block memory mapping scheme for high-level synthesis with FPGA

For many intensive computing tasks, simultaneous data access into multi-dimensional data arrays is highly restricted by its data mapping strategy and memory port constraint. As such, to increase memory accessing bandwidth, innovative memory partitioning and mapping algorithms have been proposed to simultaneously access multiple memory blocks through physically distributing data elements in the same logical array onto multiple memory blocks. Fortunately, FPGA device provides an unique opportunity of implementing application-specific memory infrastructure that maximizes memory access performance. However, even with the help of existing high-level synthesis (HLS) tools, customizing memory architecture still poses severe challenges that impede the performance of data path. In fact, existing memory partitioning and mapping schemes exploit either linear skewing or hyper-plane partitioning, therefore causing excessive run-time delay and non-optimal memory block space utilization. This work presents a hardware-efficient memory partitioning and mapping scheme with both low computing complexity and low hardware overhead for accessing multidimensional arrays. Targeting at affine memory access patterns often found in many data-intensive applications, our key idea is to leverage the geometric concept of tessellation widely known in combinatorial study and adopt a partitioning scheme based on geometric arguments instead of counting integer points in polytopes for intra-block offset generation. Aiming to assist HLS, our tessellation-based memory scheme exploits hidden memory parallelism through leveraging physically independent memory blocks in FPGAs. Using FPGA devices, our experimental results have shown that our memory partitioning algorithm saves up to 63.7% in the amount of arithmetic operations, around 15% in execution time, and 31.1% in storage overhead relative to the state-of-the-art approach on average across five widely-used circuit benchmarks.
Games in the Brain

As a popular form of recreational risk taking, gambling games offer a paradigm for decision neuroscience research. As an individual behavior, gambling becomes dysfunctional in a subset of the population, with debilitating consequences. Gambling disorder has been recently reconceptualized as a “behavioral addiction” in the DSM-5, based on emerging parallels with substance use disorders. Why do some individuals undergo this transition from recreational to disordered gambling? The biomedical model of problem gambling is a “brain disorder” account that posits an underlying neurobiological abnormality. This article first delineates the neural circuitry that underpins gambling-related decision making, comprising ventral striatum, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dopaminergic midbrain, and insula, and presents evidence for pathophysiology in this circuitry in gambling disorder. These biological dispositions become translated into clinical disorder through the effects of gambling games. This influence is better articulated in a public health approach that describes the interplay between the player and the (gambling) product. Certain forms of gambling, including electronic gambling machines, appear to be overrepresented in problem gamblers. These games harness psychological features, including variable ratio schedules, near-misses, “losses disguised as wins,” and the illusion of control, which modulate the core decision-making circuitry that is perturbed in gambling disorder.
Neural Network-Based Optimal Control of Mobile Robot Formations With Reduced Information Exchange

A novel formation control scheme for mobile robots is introduced in the context of leader-follower framework with reduced communication exchange. The dynamical controller inputs for the robots are approximated from nonlinear optimal control techniques in order to track the designed control velocities generated by the kinematic controller. The proposed nonlinear optimal control technique, referred to as adaptive dynamic programming, uses neural networks (NNs) to solve the optimal formation control problem in discrete time in the presence of unknown internal dynamics and a known control coefficient matrix. A modification to the follower's kinematic controller is used to allow the desired formation to change in order to navigate around obstacles. The proposed obstacle avoidance technique modifies the desired separation and bearing of the follower to guide the follower around obstacles. Minimal wireless communication is utilized between the leader and the follower to allow the follower to approximate and compensate for the formation dynamics. All NNs are tuned online, and the stability of the entire formation is demonstrated using Lyapunov methods. Hardware results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.