Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tailor-made synaptic dynamics based on memristive devices

The proliferation of machine learning algorithms in everyday applications such as image recognition or language translation has increased the pressure to adapt underlying computing architectures towards these algorithms. Application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) such as the Tensor Processing Units by Google, Hanguang by Alibaba or Inferentia by Amazon Web Services were designed specifically for machine learning algorithms and have been able to outperform CPU based solutions by great margins during training and inference. As newer generations of chips allow handling of and computation on more and more data, the size of neural networks has dramatically increased, while the challenges they are trying to solve have become more complex. Neuromorphic computing tries to take inspiration from biological information processing systems, aiming to further improve the efficiency with which these networks can be trained or the inference can be performed. Enhancing neuromorphic computing architectures with memristive devices as non-volatile storage elements could potentially allow for even higher energy efficiencies. Their ability to mimic synaptic plasticity dynamics brings neuromorphic architectures closer to the biological role models. So far, memristive devices are mainly investigated for the emulation of the weights of neural networks during training and inference as their non-volatility would enable both processes in the same location without data transfer. In this paper, we explore realisations of different synapses build from memristive ReRAM devices, based on the Valence Change Mechanism. These synapses are the 1R synapse, the NR synapse and the 1T1R synapse. For the 1R synapse, we propose three dynamical regimes and explore their performance through different synapse criteria. For the NR synapse, we discuss how the same dynamical regimes can be addressed in a more reliable way. We also show experimental results measured on ZrOx devices to support our simulation based claims. For the 1T1R synapse, we explore the trade offs between the connection direction of the ReRAM device and the transistor. For all three synapse concepts we discuss the impact of device-to-device and cycle-to-cycle variability. Additionally, the impact of the stimulation mode on the observed behavior is discussed.
Role of Immunostaining in Detecting Extra-Pattern and Subtle Lymphomatous Infiltration in Bone Marrow Biopsies of NHL Patients

Introduction: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) enables the examination of a greater number of trephine biopsy levels and is helpful in determining additional scattered malignant cells. The aim of this study is to detect extra-pattern and subtle lymphomatous infiltration in bone marrow biopsies using CD20 and CD3 immunostaining. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 100 newly diagnosed Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) patients. Their bone marrow trephine biopsies were assessed on routine histology [Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E)], and were further subjected to IHC using CD20 and CD3. Results: Pattern of involvement by H & E was highlighted by IHC. It showed additional interstitial pattern in 9 cases, parasinusoidal streaks in one case and highlighted a patchy pattern in another case with interstitial involvement on H & E. IHC also detected subtle infiltrations on additional 5.5% cases compared with histology alone. It helped in differentiating reactive (12 cases) and malignant lymphoid infiltration (33 cases). Conclusion: CD20 and CD3 immunostaining performed routinely on bone marrow trephine biopsies has the ability to reveal extra-pattern of infiltration and improve detection of subtle lymphoid involvement. A combined procedure identifying several distinctive features, in particular histotopography and IHC, provides a promising way of discriminating reactive from neoplastic lymphoid infiltrates in bone marrow trephine biopsies.
The Effect of Educational Intervention on Family Caregivers’ Perceived Threat of the Risk of Dependence Among Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Stroke is the main cause of adult inability and dependency on caregiver in performing activities of daily living (ADLs). Studies showed that the caregivers of such patients experienced high levels of dependency-induced caring pressure and, consequently, physical-psychological problems. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the effect of the instructional intervention on family caregivers’ perceived threat of stroke patients dependency risk. Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial study, a total of 45 pairs of stroke patients and their family caregivers were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. Sampling lasted from July 2016 to March 2017 and was performed in Tehran, Iran. Instructional intervention for family caregivers in the intervention group was in the form of four one-hour sessions. The data were collected before and immediately after instructional intervention at the hospital as well as two weeks and two months following the intervention via postal service. Results: The mean rank of family caregivers’ perceived threat was 1.44 and 2.76 in pre-intervention stage of intervention and control groups, which became 2.49 and 2.49 two months after intervention, respectively. The Friedman test showed that there was a significant difference in all post instructional intervention stages compared with pre-intervention (P < 0.001), whereas no such difference was observed in the control group (P = 0.245). The Mann-Whitney U test also showed that the pre-intervention family caregivers perceived threat was also not significantly different in the two groups (P = 0.591). However, it was increased immediately, two weeks, and two months following the intervention compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: It is recommended that stroke patients’ caregivers be provided with instructional programs to enhance their understanding of patient dependency risks and challenges.
Adaptive multi-population differential evolution for dynamic environments

Dynamic optimisation problems are problems where the search space does not remain constant over time. Evolutionary algorithms aimed at static optimisation problems often fail to effectively optimise dynamic problems. The main reason for this is that the algorithms converge to a single optimum in the search space, and then lack the necessary diversity to locate new optima once the environment changes. Many approaches to adapting traditional evolutionary algorithms to dynamic environments are available in the literature, but differential evolution (DE) has been investigated as a base algorithm by only a few researchers. This thesis reports on adaptations of existing DE-based optimisation algorithms for dynamic environments. A novel approach, which evolves DE sub-populations based on performance in order to discover optima in an dynamic environment earlier, is proposed. It is shown that this approach reduces the average error in a wide range of benchmark instances. A second approach, which is shown to improve the location of individual optima in the search space, is combined with the first approach to form a new DE-based algorithm for dynamic optimisation problems. The algorithm is further adapted to dynamically spawn and remove sub-populations, which is shown to be an effective strategy on benchmark problems where the number of optima is unknown or fluctuates over time. Finally, approaches to self-adapting DE control parameters are incorporated into the newly created algorithms. Experimental evidence is presented to show that, apart from reducing the number of parameters to fine-tune, a benefit in terms of lower error values is found when employing self-adaptive control parameters.
Mosses of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. III Phytogeography

There are 69 species and varieties of mosses reported for the Mexican part of the Yucatan Peninsula. These can be grouped into five floristic elements; the Caribbean element with 46 species indicates a close relationship of the peninsular flora with that of the West Indies. The endemic element is virtually absent. In Mexico the distribution of the peninsular flora includes the eastern and western coastal areas, ranging up to the Neovolcanic Belt in the center. This is similar to the distribution of characteristic area climates and vascular plant vegetation. There is no pen- insular effect evident in this area perhaps because of continued floristic exchange with mainland Mexico and the West Indies. The small size of the flora may be the result of intense human activity correlated with an undulating topography, absence of surface waterways, rapid drainage of rainfall and reduced number of microhabitats. Field work in the Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo over a period of years has resulted in a collection of about 600 specimens. These have been studied to determine number of species and moss distribution in the Yucatan Pen- insula. The list of species was given in two preceding publications (Delgadillo, Cairdenas & Sharp 1982; Delgadillo & Cardenas 1982) and included 69 species and varieties. However, the information derived from this research requires further analysis to clarify the significance of moss distribution in the Yucatan Peninsula and update an earlier analysis (Steere 1935).
Primary Fallopian Tube Adenocarcinoma Discovered with the Vaginal Cytology: A Case Report with Pathological and Immunohistochemical Investigation

Background: Primary fallopian tube cancer is an extremely rare gynecological malignancy. Aim: To discuss, through a case report, the diagnostic process by means of cytology immunohistochemistry. Case Presentation: A 47-year-old Japanese woman, who also had lung cancer, presented with enlarged para-aortic lymph node without any symptoms. Based on the vaginal cytology report suggestive of gynecologic malignant tumor (possibly fallopian tube adenocarcinoma), primary surgery comprised of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry examinations revealed primary fallopian tube carcinoma with metastasis of para-aortic lymph node. She is free from recurrence and metastases 9 months after the surgery and chemotherapy. Conclusion: Although primary fallopian tube cancer is a rare gynecologic malignancy, vaginal cytology may be useful for detecting fallopian tube carcinoma.
Cerebral Computed Tomography-Graded White Matter Lesions Are Associated With Worse Outcome After Thrombolysis in Patients With Stroke

Background and Purpose—Compared with other stroke causes, small-vessel disease is associated with better 3-month outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Another question is the impact of coexisting cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs; a surrogate marker of small-vessel disease) on outcome, which was addressed in the current study. Methods—We analyzed 2485 consecutive intravenous thrombolysis–treated patients at the Helsinki University Central Hospital, 2001 to 2014. WMLs were scored according to 4 previously published computed tomographic visual rating scales from all baseline head scans. The inter-rater agreement was calculated. The primary outcome measure was shift analysis, and the secondary examined all possible binary cutoffs in the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. The associations of modified Rankin Scale with nominal, ordinal, and continuous variables were analyzed in univariate and adjusted in multivariate binary and ordinal regression (shift analys.
Management of low-grade glioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Optimum management of low-grade gliomas remains controversial, and widespread practice variation exists. This evidence-based meta-analysis evaluates the association of extent of resection, radiation, and chemotherapy with mortality and progression-free survival at 2, 5, and 10 years in patients with low-grade glioma. Methods A quantitative systematic review was performed. Inclusion criteria included controlled trials of newly diagnosed low-grade (World Health Organization Grades I and II) gliomas in adults. Eligible studies were identified, assigned a level of evidence for every endpoint considered, and analyzed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The relative risk of mortality and of progression at 2, 5, and 10 years was calculated for patients undergoing resection (gross total, subtotal, or biopsy), radiation, or chemotherapy. Results Gross total resection was significantly associated with decreased mortality and likelihood of progression at all time points compared to subtotal resection. Early radiation was not associated with decreased mortality; however, progression-free survival was better at 5 years compared to patients receiving delayed or no radiation. Chemotherapy was associated with decreased mortality at 5 and 10 years in the high-quality literature. Progression-free survival was better at 5 and 10 years compared to patients who did not receive chemotherapy. In patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene (IDH1) R132H mutations receiving chemotherapy, progression-free survival was better at 2 and 5 years than in patients with IDH1 wild-type gliomas. Conclusions Results from this review, the first to quantify differences in outcome associated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in patients with low-grade gliomas, can be used to inform evidence-based management and future clinical trials.
Prediction of vaginal deliveries using fetal head descent assessed by transperineal ultrasound

This study evaluated the use of transperineal ultrasound for predicting successful vaginal deliveries. This was a prognostic cohort design study conducted between March and May 2016 at the Karawang District Hospital, Indonesia. Inclusion criteria were term pregnancy, singleton live birth with head presentation, and active phase of labor. The fetal head-to-perineum distance and the angle of progression in the relaxation phase and between contractions were assessed by transperineal ultrasound. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, and the optimal cut-off was determined using receiver operating curves (ROC). A total of 306 women delivered vaginally during the study period. The cut-off for fetal head-to-perineum distance as a predictor of vaginal delivery was 43.5 mm (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 78%), with an area under the curve of 82% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69%–95%; p < 0.01); the angle of progression was 107° (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 97%), with an area under the curve of 96.4% (95% CI, 87%–99%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, fetal head-to-perineum distance and angle of progression can predict the success of vaginal deliveries.
Leadless Cardiac Pacemaker Therapy. An Overview for the Hospitalist

Each year, approximately 200,000 permanent pacemakers are implanted in the United States and 1,000,000 worldwide. Since the initial transvenous pacemaker implantation 6 decades ago, improvements in battery longevity, lead performance and device programming have occurred. However, the basic components of and implantation technique for permanent transvenous pacemakers have remained essentially unchanged. Of the 2 pacemaker system components – pulse generator and lead – the lead has been considered the “weakest link”. While the concept of leadless pacing was first proposed in 1970, not until 2012, with implantation of the St. Jude leadless pacemaker, did practical application of this concept come to fruition.
CCR5 HIV-1 receptor predominance in adult male prepuce; the major entry route for HIV-1 in indigenous black males in zambia?

HIV-1 entry requires not only CD4 molecule but also CCR5 (CD 195) and CXCR4 (CD 184) coreceptors. A number of randomised controlled trials in Africa have reported that male circumcision (MC) reduces the risk of HIV-1 acquisition by up to 60%. Other studies have reported that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of infection by HIV via an inflammatory recruitment of more HIV target cells to the foreskin. Our aim was to compare the density of HIV-1 co-receptors (CCR5 and CXCR4) in naïve penile prepuce of neonates and penile prepuce of adults with and without history of ulcerative STIs at Male Circumcision Centres in Lusaka, Zambia. Twenty (20) fresh foreskin samples were included: five (5) from neonates, ten (10) from adult males without history of ulcerative STIs and five (5) from adult males with a history of ulcerative STIs. Immediately following MC, fresh foreskin specimens were fixed using 10% normal buffered formalin and transported to University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where tissues were processed and stained with anti-CD 195 and anti-CD 184 antibodies. Neonatal penile foreskin co-receptor mean density for CCR5 and CXCR4 was 13±5.148/mm2 and 7±1.581/mm2 respectively. CCR5 mean density of adults without past history of ulcerative STIs was 42.1±11.874/mm2 while those with history of ulcerative STIs was 78.6±13.520/mm2. Densities of CCR5 were all statistically significant with both having Pvalue of 0.000. CXCR4 mean density was 18.6±4.812/mm2 in adults without past history ofulcerative STIs and 23.4±4.393/mm2 in those with history of ulcerative STIs giving an insignificant P-value of 0.084. It could be concluded that CCR5 co-receptors provide major entry route for HIV-1 in male adults and that CCR5 seemed to be mobilized more than CXCR4 to the prepuce during inflammation. This supports evidence that MC reduces CCR5 co-receptors for acquisition and transmission of R5 strains of HIV-1.Key words: HIV, CCR5, CD 195, CD 184.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and associated risk factors among pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION Hepatitis B infection is a serious global public health problem. The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), as well as the risk factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics of the University Hospital in Antioch, Turkey. METHODOLOGY This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between May 2016 and December 2016. The Chi-squared was utilized to estimate the statistical significance of the association between socio-demographic variables and HBsAg status. The results were generated as proportions odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (Cl) and calculated by using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The seroprevalence of HBsAg was found to be 2.1%. A significant association was observed between age and HBsAg seropositivity (p = 0.027). History of blood transfusion (AOR = 9.51, 95% CI = 1.92-46.80, p = 0.006), history of hepatitis (AOR = 11.13, 95% CI = 2.02-61.28, p = 0.006), tattooing (AOR = 13.64, 95% CI = 2.52-73.76, p = 0.002) and a history of household/close contact (AOR = 11.10, 95% CI = 1.56-78.65, p = 0.016) were significantly associated with the risk of HBV infection. CONCLUSIONS Data regarding the seroprevalence of HBsAg and risk factors associated with HBV infection in pregnant women plays a crucial role in evaluating the effectiveness of the public health protection policies and the strategies to control the disease.
The effect of cognitive rehabilitation for post-stroke depression in long-term care health facilities: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the cognitive rehabilitation on the depressive symptoms, cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (QOL), and customer satisfaction in Post-Stroke Depression (PSD) patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial Setting: Long-term care health facilities in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Subjects: Total of 30 participants with either cognitive rehabilitation (intervention group, n = 15) or additional low-intensity exercise therapy (control group, n =15) completed the randomized controlled trial Intervention: The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups and given 36 sessions of low-intensity exercise therapy, (3 sessions a week for 12 weeks) with either cognitive rehabilitation (intervention) or additional low-intensity exercise therapy (control). Main Measures: Measurements were performed before and after the 36 rehabilitation sessions. Primary outcome measures were severity scores evaluations of depression (the Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS], Zung Self Depression Scale [SDS], Japan Stroke Scale Depression Scale [ JSS-D], Japan Stroke Scale Emotional Disturbance Scale [ JSS-E]). Secondary outcome measures included Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), ADL, QOL and Customer Satisfaction. Results: Participants who received cognitive rehabilitation showed significantly more improvement in the GDS (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.67–5.47; P = .02), SDS (95% CI, 3.68–18.32; P = .01), JSS-D (95% CI, 0.92–3.11; P = .00), and JSS-E (95% CI, -.59–4.64; P = .04) than those in the control group. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized trial to show the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation to improve the depressive symptoms and cognitive function for PSD patients. *Correspondence to: Hisako Yanagi, Department of Medical Science and Welfare, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan, Tel: 029-853-3496; E-mail: hyanagi@md.tsukuba. ac.jp
EFFECT OF NON-SELECTIVE BETA BLOCKERS ON ESOPHAGEAL VARICES AND PORTAL VEIN DIAMETER IN CIRRHOTIC HCV PATIENTS

ABSTRACT Background: Esophageal varices is one of the major complications of portal hypertension and one of the main causes of death in cirrhotic patients, so prophylaxis from esophageal varices bleeding can decrease the number of deaths in those patients. Aim of the work: To assess the effect of non-selective beta blockers on portal vein diameter and grades of esophageal varices. Subjects and methods: Our study was carried out at Gastroenterology and Hepatology unit, Internal Medicine department, Zagazig University hospital. Forty patients with HCV positive liver cirrhosis were enclosed in the study. All were Child Pugh grade A and B, diagnosed by clinical examination, laboratory investigations (hepatitis C virus antibody, hepatitis C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction, hepatitis B virus surface antigen, liver and kidney functions, complete blood count, INR and alpha feto-protein) and pelvi-abdominal ultrasound findings. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was done at the beginning of the study for detection and grading of esophageal varices (EVs) and those without EVs were excluded, also portal vein diameter (PVD) was recorded by ultrasound. The maximum tolerated dose of Propranolol (decrease pulse rate by 25% but not below 60 beats per minute) was given to all patients for three months. EVs grading, by upper GI endoscopy, and PVD were reassessed at the end of the study. Results: Propranolol showed a significant reduction in heart rate and PVD for the pre and posttreatment results after three months of treatment (P<0.001 for both). The dose of Propranolol didn't show significant effect on reduction of small size EVs (P=0.07) while the percent of reduction of PVD correlated significantly with percent of reduction in EVs grade for the pre and post-treatment (P<0.05). A cut off point for detection of significant EVs (GII and III) was 12.5 mm with sensitivity 82.4%, specificity 47.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) 53.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) 78.6%. Conclusion: Non-selective beta blocker (Propranolol) caused significant reduction in portal vein diameter and the percentage of reduction of portal vein diameter significantly correlated with change in esophageal varices grades. Key words: Portal hypertension, HCV, Esophageal varices, Portal vein diameter, liver cirrhosis and Non-selective beta blockers.