Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A high resolution time amplifier based time-to-digital converter for 3D image sensor

A novel time amplifier (TA) based time-to-digital converter (TDC) suitable for advanced 3-dimension (3D) CMOS image sensor (CIS) is presented. Two-step architecture provides both wide dynamic range and high resolution without calibration. Besides, the pulse-train time difference amplification method helps to ease quantization error and achieve superior time resolution with moderate chip area and power consumption. The in-pixel 6-bit TDC with TA is designed in SMIC CIS 0.18 μm 1P4M technology. With a reference clock frequency of 300 MHz, the TDC exhibits 128 ns full-scale range and minimum time resolution of 52 ps with DNL less than ±0.50 LSB and INL of under ±0.76 LSB.
Team Work Matters: Dual Inhibition Puts Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Under Siege

Inhibitors of PI3K/mTOR and histone deacetylases (HDAC) are effective in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, clinical resistance eventually ensues and combinatory therapies are sought to prevent it. Preclinical evaluation of dual PI3K/mTOR and HDAC inhibition is synergistic against NHL, paving the way for bench-to-bedside translation. Clin Cancer Res; 20(23); 5863–5. ©2014 AACR.
Scattering from a trough in a ground plane

We present a solution to the problem of determining the electromagnetic fields scattered by a two-dimensional trough in a perfectly conducting ground plane. The solution uses the moment method applied to a set of integral equations developed by Asvestas and Kleinman (see IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol.42, no.1, p.22, 1994). We compare the accuracy of this technique to the hybrid finite element method/boundary integral (FEM/BI) method for the special case of a rectangular trough. We further show that this technique does not exhibit the spurious resonances which can afflict other integral equation based approaches.
Mammalian herbivores confer resilience of Arctic shrub‐dominated ecosystems to changing climate

Climate change is resulting in a rapid expansion of shrubs in the Arctic. This expansion has been shown to be reinforced by positive feedbacks, and it could thus set the ecosystem on a trajectory toward an alternate, more productive regime. Herbivores, on the other hand, are known to counteract the effects of simultaneous climate warming on shrub biomass. However, little is known about the impact of herbivores on resilience of these ecosystems, that is, the capacity of a system to absorb disturbance and still remain in the same regime, retaining the same function, structure, and feedbacks. Here, we investigated how herbivores affect resilience of shrub‐dominated systems to warming by studying the change of shrub biomass after a cessation of long‐term experimental warming in a forest–tundra ecotone. As predicted, warming increased the biomass of shrubs, and in the absence of herbivores, shrub biomass in tundra continued to increase 4 years after cessation of the artificial warming, indicating that positive effects of warming on plant growth may persist even over a subsequent colder period. Herbivores contributed to the resilience of these systems by returning them back to the original low‐biomass regime in both forest and tundra habitats. These results support the prediction that higher shrub biomass triggers positive feedbacks on soil processes and microclimate, which enable maintaining the rapid shrub growth even in colder climates. Furthermore, the results show that in our system, herbivores facilitate the resilience of shrub‐dominated ecosystems to climate warming.
Educating advanced midwife practitioners: a collaborative venture.

AIM To describe the collaborative development of an MSc course preparing Ireland's first advanced midwife practitioners. BACKGROUND Ireland has 55 advanced nurse practitioner posts, but, as yet, no advanced midwife practitioners. METHODS A consultative, collaborative process involving 38 midwives across Ireland generated the philosophy, aims and content of the course. RESULTS Participants stated that candidates should be committed to the conceptual uniqueness of midwifery; the advanced midwife practitioner role should be clearly defined and supported by the candidate's sponsors; programme content should emphasize normal midwifery, be practice led, and encourage reflective, evidence-based, women-centred care. CONCLUSION The collaborative process used to develop this programme ensures that it will meet individual students' needs, thus enhancing the education of Ireland's first advanced midwife practitioners. IMPLICATIONS FOR MIDWIFERY MANAGEMENT: The emphasis on normality rather than specialization is a message that could be assimilated by managers in other countries to the benefit of childbearing women across the world.
Evaluation of Adaptive Support Ventilation in Paralysed Patients and in a Physical Lung Model

Objective Evaluation of the respiratory pattern selected by the Adaptive Support Ventilation (ASV) in ventilated patients with acute, chronic respiratory failure and normal lungs and in a physical lung model. Design We tested ASV both on patients and in a physical lung model, with a normal level of minute ventilation and with minute ventilation increased by 30%. In each patient, respiratory pattern, mechanics and blood gases were recorded. Setting General ICU of a University Hospital. Results In patients with normal lungs, mean values±SD were: tidal volume (Vt) 558.1±142.4mL, respiratory rate (RR) 12.6±1.3b/min and inspiratory time/total time ratio (Ti/Ttot) 42.4±4.1%; in COPD, mean values±SD were: Vt 724±171mL, RR 9.2±2.7b/min and Ti/Ttot 26.6±10.5%; in restrictive ones, mean values±SD were: Vt 550.2±77.0mL, RR 15.8±2.6b/min, Ti/Ttot 47.5±2.5%. In the lung model, at a normal setting, mean values±SD were: Vt 523±18.5mL, RR 14±0.0b/min, Ti/Ttot 44.0%, in COPD, mean values±SD were: Vt 678±0.0mL, RR 9±0.0b/min, Ti/Ttot 20±0.7%, in restrictive one, mean values±SD were: Vt 513±12.8mL, RR 15±0.0b/min, Ti/Ttot 48±1.5%. In model hyperventilation conditions in a normal setting a Vt of 582±16.6mL, RR 16±0.0b/min, Ti/Ttot 48±0.0% were selected, in the obstructive setting Vt 883±0.0mL, RR 9±0.0b/min, Ti/Ttot 20±0.0% and in a restrictive one Vt 545±8.4mL, RR 18±0.0b/min, Ti/Ttot 50±0.0%. Conclusions In normal patients ASV selected a ventilatory pattern close to the physiological one, in COPD almost a high expiratory time pattern and in restrictive ones a reduced tidal volume pattern. In the model the selection was similar. In the hyperventilation test, ASV chose a balanced increase in both Vt and RR.
Charge Transport in Conducting Polymers: Polyacetylene Nanofibres

The preparation of individual polyacetylene nanofibres has allowed a more probing investigation of the properties of polyacetylene. A significant discovery is that at low temperatures, polyacetylene nanofibres show temperature-independent Zener-type tunnelling, that we suggest is tunnelling of the conjugated-bond pattern along single polyacetylene chains. At higher temperatures, the current shows a strong increase with temperature and the nonlinearity of the current-voltage characteristics decreases. We make a comparison with similar behaviour found in single-wall carbon nanotube networks, and show that the decrease in nonlinearity is consistent with our generic calculations for fluctuation-assisted tunnelling and thermal excitation. There is no evidence for superconductivity in resistance measurements on polyacetylene. The thermoelectric power of polyacetylene and other bulk organic conducting polymers indicates the absence of significant superconductivity arising from the conventional electron-phonon mechanism.
ZNF804A rs1344706 is associated with cortical thickness, surface area, and cortical volume of the unmedicated first episode schizophrenia and healthy controls

The effects of ZNF804A rs1344706, a prominent susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, on gray matter (GM) structure in unmedicated schizophrenia (SZ) patients are still unknown, although several previous studies investigated the effects in medicated SZ patients and healthy controls (HC). Analyzing cortical thickness, surface area, and GM volume simultaneously may provide a more precise and complete picture of the effects. We genotyped 59 unmedicated first episode SZ patients and 60 healthy controls for the ZNF804A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1344706, and examined between‐group differences in cortical thickness, surface area, and cortical volume using a full‐factorial 2 × 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA). We found the risk allele (T) in ZNF804A rs1344706, compared to the non‐risk allele (G), was associated with thinner cortex in the bilateral precuneus, left precentral gyrus, and several other regions, associated with a smaller cortical surface area in the left superior parietal, precuneus cortex and left superior frontal, and associated with a lower cortical volume in the left superior frontal, left precentral, and right precuneus in SZ patients. In contrast, in the controls, the T allele was associated with the increased cortical measurements compared to the G allele in the same regions as those mentioned above. ZNF804A rs1344706 has significant, but different, effects on cortical thickness, surface area, and cortical volume in multiple regions of the brain cortex. Our findings suggest that ZNF804A rs1344706 may aggravate the risk for schizophrenia by exerting its effects on cortical thickness, surface area, and cortical volume in these brain regions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study of the stressors and coping behaviors of parents of Chinese hemophilic children

To understand the stressors experienced by parents of hemophiliac children in China and the coping behaviors utilized, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of 158 Chinese hemophiliac children. We administered the Coping Health Inventory for Parents to determine coping behaviors. Parents’ main stressors were in the domains of children’s illness and physical condition, economic problems, and so on. Parents engaged in various positive coping behaviors to manage these stressors. The helpfulness of these coping behaviors in maintaining a normal family life differed significantly by parents’ education and income (p < .01). Parents of hemophilic children in China face numerous stressors but engage in a number of coping behaviors to manage these stressors. While treating hemophilic children, Chinese medical workers should guide parents to adopt such positive coping behaviors.
Emergency Preparedness Nursing Education: Learner and Faculty Perspectives

Over the past decade, entry-to-practice emergency preparedness competencies have been identified as an essential component of nursing education. In this paper the author reports upon a small Canadian study which explores the perspective of undergraduate learners and faculty members who participated in and/or facilitated an Emergency Preparedness Simulation (EPS) module during a primary health care praxis course. The central purpose of this study was to explore the related experiences of learners and faculty who participated in or facilitated an Emergency Preparedness Simulation (EPS) module academic year and their perspectives on the effectiveness of the simulation in preparing learners to respond to emergencies in the future. The EPS module included a seminar followed by a mass-casualty simulation experience. The mass-casualty simulation experience included a “Teddy Bear” triage and an “Explosion” triage. The constructivist data analysis identified four related patterns for both the learner and faculty participants: Strengths (S), Objections (O), Suggestions (S), and Feelings (! ) [SOS! ]. Three themes were identified in each pattern: relevance, design, and engagement. In comparing the learner and faculty perspectives, there is a clear congruence between the strengths identified, the objections identified, and the power of feelings for both learners and faculty who participate in the emergency preparedness scenarios. Learners and faculty had different suggestions. Learners suggested more time on developing skills, particularly around first aid of individual clients, and recommended all students begin with the “Teddy Bear” triage. Faculty suggested a re-thinking of the “Explosion” triage simulation to emphasize community based emergency preparedness and responsiveness. Such re-focusing would support the integration of key primary health care principles and values including equity, social justice, and social determinants of health. Learners and faculty valued the EPS module and recommended it continue to be a learning component of the primary health care course.
Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin exposure alters radial arm maze performance and hippocampal morphology in female AhR +/– mice

Perinatal exposure to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) has been reported to alter spatial learning in rats tested on a radial arm maze (RAM). TCDD is believed to exert most of its effects through binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). To determine whether the AhR mediates TCDD‐induced alterations in spatial learning, we tested male and female AhR‐knockout (AhR –/–), heterozygous (AhR +/–) and wild‐type (AhR +/+) mice on the RAM. AhR +/– male and female mice were time mated, and treated dams were dosed with 5 μg TCDD/kg body weight on day 13 of gestation. When offspring reached adulthood, male and female AhR +/+, AhR +/– and AhR –/– mice from TCDD‐exposed and unexposed litters were tested on the eight‐arm RAM. After testing, we examined hippocampal morphology as visualized by the Timm's silver sulfide stain. TCDD‐exposed female AhR +/– mice made more errors than their respective controls on the RAM and exhibited a decrease in the size of the intra‐ and infrapyramidal mossy fiber (IIP‐MF) field of the hippocampus. None of the other TCDD‐exposed groups differed from their respective control groups with regard to maze performance or hippocampal morphology. The reduction of IIP‐MF field indicates a possible morphological basis for the learning deficit that was observed in the female AhR +/– mice. It is hypothesized that the effect of TCDD exposure is AhR dependent and that TCDD may alter GABAergic activity in the hippocampus of female mice during development.
Mechanisms and Concepts Paving the Way towards a Complete Transport Cycle of Plant Vacuolar Sorting Receptors[W][OA]

Delivery of proteins to the lytic vacuole in plants is a complex cascade of selective interactions that specifically excludes residents of the endoplasmic reticulum and secreted proteins. Vacuolar transport must be highly efficient to avoid mistargeting of hydrolytic enzymes to locations where they could be harmful. While plant vacuolar sorting signals have been well described for two decades, it is only during the last 5 years that a critical mass of data was gathered that begins to reveal how vacuolar sorting receptors (VSRs) may complete a full transport cycle. Yet, the field is far from reaching a consensus regarding the organelles that could be involved in vacuolar sorting, their potential biogenesis, and the ultimate recycling of membranes and protein machinery that maintain this pathway. This review will highlight the important landmarks in our understanding of VSR function and compare recent transport models that have been proposed so that an emerging picture of plant vacuolar sorting mechanisms can be drawn.
An efficient tissue classifier for building patient-specific finite element models from X-ray CT images

The authors developed an efficient semiautomatic tissue classifier for X-ray computed tomography (CT) images which can be used to build patient- or animal-specific finite element (FE) models for bioelectric studies. The classifier uses a gray scale histogram for each tissue type and three-dimensional (3-D) neighborhood information. A total of 537 CT images from four animals (pigs) were classified with an average accuracy of 96.5% compared to manual classification by a radiologist. The use of 3-D, as opposed to 2-D, information reduced the error rate by 78%. Models generated using minimal or full manual editing yielded substantially identical voltage profiles. For the purpose of calculating voltage gradients or current densities in specific tissues, such as the myocardium, the appropriate slices need to be fully edited, however. The authors' classifier offers an approach to building FE models from image information with a level of manual effort that can be adjusted to the need of the application.
Eating patterns and type 2 diabetes risk in men: breakfast omission, eating frequency, and snacking.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the association between eating patterns and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to prospectively examine associations between breakfast omission, eating frequency, snacking, and T2D risk in men. DESIGN Eating patterns were assessed in 1992 in a cohort of 29,206 US men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who were free of T2D, cardiovascular disease, and cancer and were followed for 16 y. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to evaluate associations with incident T2D. RESULTS We documented 1944 T2D cases during follow-up. After adjustment for known risk factors for T2D, including BMI, men who skipped breakfast had 21% higher risk of T2D than did men who consumed breakfast (RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.35). Compared with men who ate 3 times/d, men who ate 1-2 times/d had a higher risk of T2D (RR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.45). These findings persisted after stratification by BMI or diet quality. Additional snacks beyond the 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) were associated with increased T2D risk, but these associations were attenuated after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSIONS Breakfast omission was associated with an increased risk of T2D in men even after adjustment for BMI. A direct association between snacking between meals and T2D risk was mediated by BMI.
Effectiveness of stevia as a mouthrinse among 12–15-year-old schoolchildren in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh - A randomized controlled trial

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of stevia as a daily mouthrinse among 12–15 year-old schoolchildren in Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A randomized, controlled triple blind trial was carried out among 108 children in B. V. S Municipallity Girls High school in Nellore. Children were randomly allocated into four groups comprising 27 in each group. Four mouthrinses composed of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate; 0.05% sodium fluoride, 10.6% stevioside and placebo were provided to the study participants. Plaque index, gingival index, and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II, respectively, were used for assessing oral condition. The mouthrinsing was carried out for 6 months. Results: Group C showed maximum reduction of 8% and 10% on plaque and gingival scores, respectively, followed by Group A and Group B. However, Group D participants showed 1.5% and 1.8% increase in plaque and gingival scores, respectively. Analysis of ICDAS scores at 6 months indicated that values recorded were same as baseline for all the three groups except that for Group D, there was an increase in the prevalence of cavitated lesion D2–6from 5.6% to 5.8%. Conclusion: Stevia demonstrated very potent antiplaque and antigingivitis properties as compared to other mouthrinses at the end of 6 months trial.
Comparison between BBO and Genetic Algorithm

Segmentation" refers to the process of dividing a digital image into multiple segments such as sets of pixels, also known as super pixels. The main objective of segmentation is to simplify and/or change the representation of an image into meaningful image that is more appropriate and easier to analyze. "Image segmentation" is an important aspect of digital image processing. Color images can increase the quality of segmentation, but increase the complexity of the problem. Evolutionary algorithms are well suited to optimizing complex problems such as image segmentation. In this paper two optimization algorithms are explored for image segmentation i.e Genetic algorithm and Biogeography based optimization algorithm. And then compare both these algorithm to show the better optimization and noise free color image segmentation of BBO algorithm as compared to GA. This paper also explores the limitations of GA over
Auto-Mapping and Configuration Method of IEC 61850 Information Model Based on OPC UA

The open-platform communication (OPC) unified architecture (UA) (IEC62541) is introduced as a key technology for realizing a variety of smart grid (SG) use cases enabling relevant automation and control tasks. The OPC UA can expand interoperability between power systems. The top-level SG management platform needs independent middleware to transparently manage the power information technology (IT) systems, including the IEC 61850. To expand interoperability between the power system for a large number of stakeholders and various standards, this paper focuses on the IEC 61850 for the digital substation. In this paper, we propose the interconnection method to integrate communication with OPC UA and convert OPC UA AddressSpace using system configuration description language (SCL) of IEC 61850. We implemented the mapping process for the verification of the interconnection method. The interconnection method in this paper can expand interoperability between power systems for OPC UA integration for various data structures in the smart grid.
Multi-watt near-infrared light therapy as a neuroregenerative treatment for traumatic brain injury

Infrared light represents a broad spectrum of light with wavelengths from 700 nm to 1 million nm (1,000 microns). At its shortest wavelengths (referred to as near-infrared), it merges with the red spectrum of visible light. At the longest end (referred to as far-infrared), it blends into the range of microwaves. Near-infrared light has gained increased attention for its ability to activate anti-inflammatory processes and is now widely used in veterinary medicine to treat sprains, bone fractures, and to speed the healing of wounds. Over the last ten years, there has been an assemblage of animal studies focusing on the use of transcranial near-infrared light therapy (NILT) to treat brain injury from stroke or trauma.
IMM-UGHF-NJ for continuous wave bistatic sonar tracking with propagation delay

Acoustic propagation delay has not been investigated for a continuous wave multistatic sonar tracking system except for the recent study conducted by Jauffret et al. [4], which estimates the trajectory of a constant velocity target. The results showed that the estimate bias caused by the propagation delay is not negligible, especially for a bistatic system. This paper develops an interacting multiple model unscented Gauss-Helmert filter with numerical Jacobian (IMM-UGHF-NJ) to track a maneuvering target with propagation delay using a bistatic sonar system. The IMM-UGHF-NJ can overcome the two tracking challenges introduced by the delay, namely, implicit state transition model and lack of analytical expression of the Doppler shifted frequency in the measurement model. Simulation tests have been conducted, and the results show that the IMM-UGHF-NJ can reduce the estimation error significantly, especially for fast moving targets.