Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DC Microplasma Jet for Local a:C-H Deposition Operated in SEM Chamber

A DC micro plasma jet for local micro deposition of a:C-H film in the ambient vacuum of scanning electron microscope (SEM) chamber is proposed. Acetylene (C2H2) gas was locally fed into the chamber through an orifice shaped gas nozzle (OGN) at 6.6 sccm in flow rate by applying 80 kPa-inlet pressure with an additional direct pumping system equipped on the SEM chamber. As a cathode, a cut of n-type silicon (Si) wafer was placed right in front of the OGN at 200 μm gap distance. By applying a positive DC voltage to the OGN, C2H2 plasma was generated locally between the electrodes. During discharge, the voltage increased and the current decreased due to deposition of insulating film on the Si wafer with resulting in automatic termination of discharge at the constant source voltage. A symmetric mountain-shaped a:C-H film of 5 μm height was deposited at the center by operation for 15 s. Films were deposited with variation of gas flow rate, gap distance, voltage and current, and deposition time. The films were directly observed by SEM and analyzed by surface profiler and by Raman spectroscopy.
Evaluating the Impact of Remedial Education in Florida Community Colleges: A Quasi-Experimental Regression Discontinuity Design. NCPR Brief.

Remedial education, defined as coursework below college-level offered at a postsecondary institution, is a topic of considerable debate in higher education. The conceptual foundation for remedial education is straightforward—students are tested to determine whether they meet a given level of academic proficiency for college-level classes. For those who do not meet this level, deficiencies in skills are addressed through some form of supplementary instruction, most often remedial courses.
One step screening of retroviral producer clones by real time quantitative PCR

Recombinant retroviruses are obtained from either stably or transiently transfected retrovirus producer cells. In the case of stably producing lines, a large number of clones must be screened in order to select the one with the highest titre. The multi‐step selection of high titre producing clones is time consuming and expensive.
The life history of longnose gar, Lepisosteus osseus, an apex predator in the tidal waters of Virginia

Long nose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) inhabit all of the major tributaries of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, extending from fresh to estuarine waters. Literature concerning long nose gar from tidal environments is limited and this is study concerns important aspects of the life history (e.g., growth, reproduction, dimorphism, movements, and diet). Age, growth, and reproduction are important life history aspects for understanding the biology of fishes and may be affected by the environment in which an individual lives. This study found no differences in the age, growth, and fecundity parameters between longnose gar from tidal portions of Chesapeake Bay tributaries and previous studies in non-tidal environments. Fecundity averaged 30,000 eggs and a von Bertalanffy growth model described growth of long nose gar to be sexually dimorphic, rapid in the first year of life, and leveling off after maturity. Sexual dimorphism has been documented previously in two species of the family Lepisosteidae, L. osseus and L. oculatus. The present study expands upon previous work on this species by examining a broader array of morphometric characters, while removing the bias associated with overall body length. A stepwise discriminant function analyses found that five characters best distinguish the sexes: head width, mid-snout width, anal-fin height, anal-fin width, and prepectoral-fin length. Discriminant function analyses with the five characters and standard length yielded misclassification rates of 8.8% and 6.2% for females and males, respectively. Another goal of this project was to characterize the movements of long nose gar by using both acoustic and conventional tagging methods and by examining historical catch records from a trawl survey. Two individuals moved 69 and 7 4 km, which is greater than the distance observed in the only other report on long-distance movement by long nose gar individuals. Spawning data were collected from two acoustically tagged longnose gar and spawning residency time was approximately one month. Winter distributions of longnose gar, previously unknown, occurred both inshore and mid-channel and were similar to the summer and fall. Finally, this study characterized the diet of long nose gar inhabiting tidal rivers in Virginia. The top five prey types recovered from stomachs were white perch, menhaden, killifishes (Fundulus spp.), Atlantic croaker, and spot. Marine and anadromous fishes (%W = 59.4%) and resident fishes (%W = 40.6%) were equally important in the diet of longnose gar. The diet varied with the seasonal prey fish assemblages, longnose gar length, and salinity, reinforcing the categorization of the species as an opportunistic predator. The relative abundance, rapid growth, and high fecundity of this apex predator warrant further study and inclusion into ecosystem models.
DSM Melancholic Features Are Unreliable Predictors of ECT Response: A CORE Publication

Objective: To determine the relationship between baseline melancholic features with outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Method: In a multihospital (Consortium for Research in ECT) collaborative ECT study, SCID-1 interviews were obtained at study entry. Ratings of the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression were obtained thrice weekly during the course of ECT, once during a subsequent treatment-free week, and periodically during 6-month continuation treatment with either bitemporal ECT or nortriptyline plus lithium (continuation pharmacotherapy). Results: The evaluable sample was severely ill with a mean 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of 35.2 (±6.9). Of 489 patients, 63.6% (311) met DSM-IV criteria for melancholic features. During acute ECT, 62.1% of those with melancholic features remitted, as compared with 78.7% for those without melancholic features (P = 0.002). During medication continuation treatment (continuation pharmacotherapy), relapse rates were higher for those with melancholic features than for those without these features. Conversely, with continuation ECT, the rate of relapse was lower for those with, compared with those without, melancholic features. Conclusions: Ascertaining melancholic features by SCID-1 criteria does not identify depressed patients more likely to respond to ECT as had been anticipated from the literature. Melancholic features were associated with poorer treatment outcomes in acute ECT. Those with melancholic features were less likely to relapse with continuation ECT, but those with melancholic features were more likely to relapse with continuation pharmacotherapy. The limitations of the DSM-IV criteria for melancholia are discussed.
Adamantinoma of the Long Bones: Keratin Subclass Immunoreactivity Pattern with Reference to Its Histogenesis

To gain more insight into the differentiation characteristics of the epithelial cells of the adamantinoma of the long bones, we studied the specific keratin immunoreactivity pattern using monoclonal antibodies on 34 primary, recurrent, or metastatic specimens of 22 patients. The results revealed the widespread presence of keratins 14 and 19 in all specimens studied; 74% showed immunoreactivity of keratin 5, and focal staining of keratin 17 was detected in 50%. Keratins 7 and 13 were found in three adamantinoma specimens. This keratin immunoreactivity pattern was independent of histologic subtype, despite marked variety in differentiation pattern, suggesting a common histogenesis for all subtypes of adamantinoma. Furthermore, the pattern was conserved both in local recurrences and in metastasis. The major pattern found in our study differs significantly from other bone and soft tissue tumors with known epithelial characteristics, e.g., synovial sarcomas, chordomas, and epithelioid sarcomas, in that it lacks immunoreactivity of keratins 8 and 18. Our results suggest a basal epithelial cell-like differentiation of adamantinomas
Integrative Analysis of Proteomic Signatures, Mutations, and Drug Responsiveness in the NCI 60 Cancer Cell Line Set

Aberrations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors frequently affect the activity of critical signal transduction pathways. To analyze systematically the relationship between the activation status of protein networks and other characteristics of cancer cells, we did reverse phase protein array (RPPA) profiling of the NCI60 cell lines for total protein expression and activation-specific markers of critical signaling pathways. To extend the scope of the study, we merged those data with previously published RPPA results for the NCI60. Integrative analysis of the expanded RPPA data set revealed five major clusters of cell lines and five principal proteomic signatures. Comparison of mutations in the NCI60 cell lines with patterns of protein expression showed significant associations for PTEN, PIK3CA, BRAF, and APC mutations with proteomic clusters. PIK3CA and PTEN mutation enrichment were not cell lineage-specific but were associated with dominant yet distinct groups of proteins. The five RPPA-defined clusters were strongly associated with sensitivity to standard anticancer agents. RPPA analysis identified 27 protein features significantly associated with sensitivity to paclitaxel. The functional status of those proteins was interrogated in a paclitaxel whole genome small interfering RNA (siRNA) library synthetic lethality screen and confirmed the predicted associations with drug sensitivity. These studies expand our understanding of the activation status of protein networks in the NCI60 cancer cell lines, demonstrate the importance of the direct study of protein expression and activation, and provide a basis for further studies integrating the information with other molecular and pharmacological characteristics of cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(2); 257–67
Design of a power-efficient ARM processor with a timing-error detection and correction mechanism

With the growing popularity of mobile devices, the trend in the field of system-on-chip has shifted from high performance to low power operation. However, traditional design methodology is limited by the design margins reserved for process, voltage and temperature variations. Therefore, a systematic solution that enables real-time timing error detection and correction was proposed to eliminate redundant margins in the design of an ARM microprocessor. A prototype stochastic ARM1136 processor was implemented in TSMC 90nm technology. Two circuit-level techniques, Razor and Surger, are exploited to form a hybrid error detection mechanism by observing both global and local timing information. To enable the deployment of aggressive voltage scaling with hardware-based error tolerance mechanism, we propose an activity-driven optimization flow to reshape the slack distribution based on path-activation probability. The chip achieves a frequency of 250MHz at worst case with 48.82mW power consumption. The overall power overhead of the proposed error tolerance mechanism is about 25% (hold-fixing latches 15.25% plus Razor 10.53%). The energy saving through design margins elimination is 51% (an average of the three corner cases) and a 42.8% saving was measured at the lowest operation voltage.
A rare case of methimazole-induced cholestatic jaundice in an elderly man of Asian ethnicity with hyperthyroidism

Background: Methimazole is an antithyroid drug that is widely used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. As an inhibitor of the enzyme thyroperoxidase, methimazole is generally well-tolerated. However, there have been increasing reports of methimazole-induced liver damage, although this effect of methimazole has been limited by the absence of objective diagnosis of the liver condition or the inappropriate use of the Naranjo scale. We present the case of an elderly man with hyperthyroidism, gastritis, and epilepsy who developed liver damage after administration of multiple drugs. Key points from the case: Considering the low sensitivity of the Naranjo scale in detecting rare reactions associated with liver damage, we used the Roussel-Uclaf Causality Assessment Method scale, with a finding of cholestatic jaundice hepatitis induced by methimazole. The patient's liver enzyme levels improved after discontinuation of methimazole. Main lessons learned: Our case underlines the possible hepatoxicity associated with the use of methimazole. A review of the literature confirmed a selective hepatoxicity risk in individuals of Asian ethnicity, which has not been identified in Caucasian or Black populations. Physicians should be aware of the risk of hepatoxicity when prescribing oral methimazole to patients of Asian ethnicity.
A tool for dynamic explorations of color mappings

When exploring a large set of data, it would be useful for a researcher to view the data in a number of different ways . A certain representation may show one kind of relationshi p between data elements, while another representation shows a different relationship . We are interested in the effect tha t dynamic control of the color mapping, the mapping from data variable value to display color, has on the ability of the user t o understand the data . By dynamic interaction we mean that th e display is updated continuously as input devices are moved . Dynamic control of the color parameters of a representation may allow a researcher to gain a better understanding than a static color mapping .
Cultura de segurança do paciente na perspectiva da equipe de enfermagem de emergências pediátricas

OBJETIVO Identificar la cultura de seguridad del paciente en urgencias pediatricas, en la perspectiva del equipo de enfermeria. METODO Investigacion cuantitativa, tipo survey transversal. Muestra compuesta de 75 profesionales del equipo de enfermeria. Datos recolectados entre septiembre y noviembre de 2014, en tres Urgencias Pediatricas, aplicando el instrumento Hospital SurveyonPatient Safety Culture. Datos sometidos al analisis descriptivo. RESULTADOS No fueron encontradas areas de fuerza para la seguridad del paciente, siendo identificadas areas con potencial de convertirse asi: Expectativas y acciones del supervisor/jefatura para promocion de la seguridad del paciente y Trabajo en equipo. Como area critica se identificaron: Respuesta no punitiva al error y Apoyo de la gestion hospitalaria para seguridad del paciente. El estudio senalo alejamiento entre la cultura de seguridad y las urgencias pediatricas; sin embargo, vislumbro posibilidades de transformacion que contribuiran a la seguridad del paciente pediatrico. CONCLUSION Los profesionales de enfermeria necesitan hacerse protagonistas en el proceso de reemplazo del actual paradigma hacia una cultura enfocada en la seguridad. Se sugiere la replicacion de este estudio en otras instituciones a fin de perfeccionar el actual escenario de asistencia sanitaria.
Transcriptional Activation of the cyclin D1 Gene Is Mediated by Multiple Cis-Elements, Including SP1 Sites and a cAMP-responsive Element in Vascular Endothelial Cells*

In an attempt to examine the mechanisms by which transcriptional activity of the cyclin D1 promoter is regulated in vascular endothelial cells (EC), we examined thecis-elements in the human cyclin D1 promoter, which are required for transcriptional activation of the gene. The results of luciferase assays showed that transcriptional activity of the cyclin D1 promoter was largely mediated by SP1 sites and a cAMP-responsive element (CRE). DNA binding activity at the SP1 sites, which was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, was significantly increased in the early to mid G1 phase, whereas DNA binding activity at CRE did not change significantly. Furthermore, Induction of the cyclin D1 promoter activity in the early to mid G1phase depended largely on the promoter fragment containing the SP1 sites, whereas the proximal fragment containing CRE but not the SP1 sites was constitutively active. Finally, the increase in DNA binding and promoter activities via the SP1 sites was mediated by the Ras-dependent pathway. The results suggested that the activation of the cyclin D1 gene in vascular ECs was regulated by a dual system; one was inducible in the G1phase, and the other was constitutively active.
The stigma of disability: Croatian experiences

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to get an insight into understanding the stigma of disability based on the experience and perception of people with disabilities and professionals who work with them. Methods: Qualitative research methods were used with two focus groups: one with people with disabilities (five participants) and other with professionals (seven participants). After data were collected, a qualitative content analysis was made. Results: The results indicated that participants perceived and experienced stigma of disability through intrinsic and extrinsic elements of stigmatization. The intrinsic elements refer to the feeling of being different as a result of negative attitudes, prejudices and stereotypes. The extrinsic elements derive from the relationship of the system towards people with disabilities: discrimination and labelling. Some of the major findings of this research are that the stigma of disability is shown through the inability of the people with disabilities to make their own decisions, the perception of the disability as the main feature of the person, the lack of criteria during education, perceiving disability as a precondition in choosing a partner and parental capability, parents’ decision-making about their children’s lives, overprotection and stigmatization in education and employment. Stigmatization leads to social exclusion and influences the quality of life. Conclusion: The stigma of disability is manifested through the impossibility of realizing basic human rights, of living life independently and of taking equal part in a local community. Implications for Rehabilitation Members of both formal and informal social networks stigmatize people with disabilities in many aspects of their life. The realization of basic human rights is often limited or impossible for people with disabilities because of stigmatizing attitudes in Croatian society. The disability stigma determines lives of people with disabilities in Croatia.
Acute Striatal Necrosis in Hemiplegic Migraine With de Novo CACNA1A Mutation

We report the case of a 9‐year‐old girl with early‐onset developmental delay, chronic ataxia and prolonged hemiplegic migraine episodes bringing about progressive deterioration. Two days into one episode, diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging disclosed unilateral striatal abnormal signal consistent with cytotoxic edema, which evolved into atrophy on follow‐up scans. Mutational screen of CACNA1A gene identified a de novo p.Tyr1387Cys mutation.
Levels of minimal residual disease detected by quantitative molecular monitoring herald relapse in patients with multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) has helped to improve the treatment of patients with leukemia. At present MRD testing in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is not applied as a standard diagnostic or prognostic method. DESIGN AND METHODS Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using patient-specific TaqMan probes together with LightCycler technology was performed to quantify minimal residual disease in MM. Relative levels of clonotypic cells were assessed as IgH/2beta-actin ratios with a sensitivity of 10(-4) to 10(-5). RESULTS Following stem cell transplantation, a significant reduction of clonotypic cells was observed in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples of 11 patients, comparing pre-treatment values with those of best response (median: 13% to 0.09% and 0.03% to 0%, respectively). In 5 patients with ongoing clinical remission IgH/2beta-actin ratios remained stable at a low level, while in 6 patients an increase to 2% in BM and 0.4% in PB was associated with progression of the disease. In 4 of these 6 patients the increase of clonotypic cells in PB was detectable a median of 3 months (range: 0.5-6) before relapse. Furthermore, time-to-progression of patients with pre-transplantation IgH/2b-actin ratios > 0.03% in BM was significantly shorter than that of patients with lower MRD levels. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS MRD in patients with MM can be quantified reliably using TaqMan chemistry adapted to the LightCycler system. Residual tumor cell levels before transplantation as well as results of sequential molecular monitoring are predictive of relapse.
VHR Satellite Image Time Series analysis using expert knowledge modeling and user assistance

In this paper, we address land cover regions monitoring issue by introducing prior knowledge about the studied scene. Actually, remote sensing data growing volumes lead to increase the complexity of direct images interpretation. So, we attempt to overcome this problem by formalizing expert knowledge. The proposed method extends an expert knowledge formalism and temporal evolution graph representation to handle sub-graphs similarity. For this purpose, a user interaction through the proposition of a time window and concepts evolution is introduced. Hence, the proposed approach extracts the most similar temporal evolution to user request over the generated SITS subgraphs. Experiments are performed on synthesized and real STIS and compared to previously presented approaches for STIS analysis.
Static Noise Margin Analysis of Low Power SRAM Cell for High Speed Application

Low power design is the industry buzzword these days in present chip design technologies. CMOS technology continues to drive the reduction in switching delay and power while improving area density. However, the transistor miniaturization also introduces many new challenges in Very Large Integrated (VLSI) circuit design, such as sensitivity to process variations, increasing transistor leakage and reducing Static Noise Margin. This paper is focused on the different types of analysis applied on noise, voltage, read and write margin of Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell for high-speed application and to get an appropriate Static Noise Margin (SNM). The analysis is performed on Cadence virtuoso tool, gpdk 180nm technology. Keywords— Static Noise Margin, SRAM, VLSI, CMOS
The Application of the Theory of Signal Detection to the Assessment of Speech Perception

Traditional audiological measures of speech recognition ability have failed to correlate well with self-assessments of communication difficulty. In this tutorial, an approach to the evaluation of speech perception is described that uses quantities derived from the theory of signal detection. The basics of the theory are reviewed briefly, and its relevance to communication processes is discussed. The measures of performance accuracy and decision criterion provided by the theory of signal detection offer a way of quantifying the ability of a listener to assess the accuracy of his or her own identifications of spoken messages. It is hoped that these quantities will provide new information about communication processes and help to characterize communication difficulties encountered in everyday life.