Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scaling mixed-signal neuromorphic processors to 28 nm FD-SOI technologies

As processes continue to scale aggressively, the design of deep sub-micron, mixed-signal design is becoming more and more challenging. In this paper we present an analysis of scaling multi-core mixed-signal neuromorphic processors to advanced 28 nm FD-SOI nodes. We address analog design issues which arise from the use of advanced process, including the problem of large leakage currents and device mismatch, and asynchronous digital design issues. We present the outcome of Monte Carlo Analysis and circuit simulations of neuromorphic sub threshold analog/digital neuron circuits which reproduce biologically plausible responses. We describe the AER used to implement PCHB based asynchronous QDI routing processes in multi-core neuromorphic architectures and validate their operation via circuit simulation results. Finally we describe the implementation of custom 28 nm CAM based memory resources utilized in these multi-core neuromorphic processor and discuss the possibility of increasing density by using advanced RRAM devices integrated in the 28 nm Fully-Depleted Silicon on Insulator (FD-SOI) process.
In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of flavonoids from Panax notoginseng flowers

Panax notoginseng and its flowers are both well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. To date, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of flavonoids from P. notoginseng flowers (PNF) remain unclear. In this study, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of flavonoids from PNF were investigated. The crude flavonoids were purified using a column (25 cm × 1.5 cm) packed with AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin. Compared with ascorbic acid, the purified flavonoids excelled in scavenging activities on 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals at 0.2–1.0 mg/mL concentration. However, flavonoids exhibited weaker reducing power than ascorbic acid at 20–100 μg/mL concentration. In addition, the flavonoids exhibited obvious inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results clearly indicate that flavonoids from PNF are effective in scavenging free radicals and have the potential to be used as antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, and also provide the theoretical data for supporting the use of PNF in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.
The Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Pathway Enhances Hepatic Insulin Signaling and is Repressed in Insulin-Resistant Mouse Liver*

Although it is widely accepted that ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver is associated with hepatic insulin resistance, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well characterized. Here we employed time resolved quantitative proteomic profiling of mice fed a high fat diet to determine which pathways were affected during the transition of the liver to an insulin-resistant state. We identified several metabolic pathways underlying altered protein expression. In order to test the functional impact of a critical subset of these alterations, we focused on the epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) eicosanoid pathway, whose deregulation coincided with the onset of hepatic insulin resistance. These results suggested that EETs may be positive modulators of hepatic insulin signaling. Analyzing EET activity in primary hepatocytes, we found that EETs enhance insulin signaling on the level of Akt. In contrast, EETs did not influence insulin receptor or insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation. This effect was mediated through the eicosanoids, as overexpression of the deregulated enzymes in absence of arachidonic acid had no impact on insulin signaling. The stimulation of insulin signaling by EETs and depression of the pathway in insulin resistant liver suggest a likely role in hepatic insulin resistance. Our findings support therapeutic potential for inhibiting EET degradation.
The impact of family policy expenditure on fertility in western Europe

This article analyzes the impact on fertility of changes in national expenditure for family allowances, maternity- and parental-leave benefits, and childcare subsidies. To do so, I estimate a model for the timing of births using individual-level data from 16 western European countries, supplemented with data on national social expenditure for different family policy programs. The latter allow approximation of the subsidies that households with children receive from such programs. The results show that increased expenditure on family policy programs that help women to combine family and employment-and thus reduce the opportunity cost of children—generates positive fertility responses.
Flow Enforcement Algorithms for ATM Networks

Four measurement algorithms for flow enforcement in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks are presented. The algorithms are the leaky bucket, the rectangular sliding window, the triangular sliding window, and the exponentially weighted moving average. A comparison, based partly on teletraffic theory and partly on signal processing theory, is carried out. It is seen that the time constant involved increases with the increasing burstiness of the connection. It is suggested that the RMS measurement bandwidth be used to dimension linear algorithms for equal flow enforcement characteristics. Implementations are proposed on the block diagram level, and dimensioning examples are carried out when flow enforcing a renewal-type connection using the four algorithms. The corresponding hardware demands are estimated aid compared. >
Isolation and Molecular Detection of Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 in Cattle in Serbia

Abstract The presence of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) was examined in 119 nasal swabs collected from cattle with severe respiratory infection. All samples were conducted for virus isolation on the MDBK cell line. The cytopathic effect was observed after 48h to 72h in cells inoculated with eight samples (8/119; 6.7%). The confirmation of isolated strains of BPIV3 was done by the virus-neutralization test. In addition, all samples of bovine nasal swabs were also examined for the presence of BPIV3 virus using RT-PCR with primers specific for the part of HN gene. The presence of BPIV3 was detected in eight samples (8/119; 6.7%) that were also positive upon virus isolation. The molecular characterization based on nucleotide sequencing of the part of the HN gene showed that all BPIV3 isolates belonged to genotype C of BPIV3. They branched in one distinct cluster with three different branches, but these branches were very similar to each other (98.1% to 99.8%). Serbian BPIV3c isolates were most similar to the Chinese BPIV3c isolates SD0805, SD0809 and SD0835 (from 97.92% to 99.7%), and to South Korean (12Q061), Japanese (HS9) and American (TVMDL16 and TVMDL20) BPIV3c strains (from 97.1% to 98.8%), and distinct from American (TVMDL15and TVMDL17) and Australian (Q5592) BPI3V genotype B strains (only 79.9% to 82.3% similarity), as well as from the genotype A BPIV3 strains from different countries published in GenBank.
Mining association rules with rare and frequent items

Many existing association rule algorithms are based on the support-based pruning strategy to prune the combinatorial search space. This strategy is not effective for discovering interesting patterns, because low values of support generates too many rules, involving items with different support levels and poorly correlated, and high levels of support generates very few rules and generally trivial ones. In this paper we describe an algorithm to mining association rules with both rare and frequent items - MIRF algorithm. This algorithm does not require the minimum support to be specified in advance. Rather, it generates in each iteration all possible item sets, and extracts only those positively correlated in order to obtain a rule set whose size is smaller, easier to interpret and with both frequent and rare items. Also only the most relevant rule is extracted from each item set, which significantly reduces the time required for the mining process and the number of rules generated. Experimental evaluation of our algorithm on several databases will be presented.
Resistance to macrolides, clindamycin and telithromycin in Streptococcus pyogenes isolated in Spain during 2004.

OBJECTIVES To study the antimicrobial susceptibility and prevalence of the different phenotypes and genotypes of macrolide resistance in group A streptococci isolated in Spain in 2004, and to compare the results with those obtained in 1998 and 2001 using the same methodology and centres. METHODS A total of 530 unique isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes collected in 21 laboratories from 16 geographic areas (regions) in Spain were used. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the agar dilution method. Discs containing erythromycin or clindamycin were used to recognize the phenotypes of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS) resistance. Genes encoding macrolide-lincosamide resistance were detected by PCR. RESULTS Resistance to erythromycin was 21.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.5-26.3]. The resistance to azithromycin was 21.5%, whereas the resistance to miocamycin and to clindamycin was 6.6% (95% CI 3.0-8.9). Thirty-one (5.8%) of the isolates were resistant to telithromycin. Of the 115 erythromycin-resistant isolates, 67.8% had the M phenotype, representing 14.7% of all the isolates tested. Thirty-five isolates (30.5% of the erythromycin-resistant strains and 6.6% of all the isolates) had the MLS(B) constitutive phenotype. There was a high prevalence of resistance to telithromycin (88.6%) among the 35 strains with the MLS(B) constitutive phenotype. When we compared these results with those from previous studies (1998 and 2001), we found a significant increase in the MLS(B) constitutive phenotype (P < 0.001), and a significant decrease in the M phenotype (P < 0.005) was noted. CONCLUSIONS The significant increase in the prevalence of resistance to clindamycin and miocamycin, and the prevalence of resistance to telithromycin reached in a short period of time from the introduction of its use, underscore the need for continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in S. pyogenes in Spain.
Beneficial role of the probiotic mixture Ultrabiotique on maintaining the integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier in DSS-induced experimental colitis

Abstract The etiology of inflammatory bowel diseases which include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease has not yet been clarified. Several hypotheses suggest a change in composition of gut microflora along with an impaired mucosal barrier that lead to excessive mucosal immunologic responses. Increased production of nitric oxide (NO) contributes greatly to the tissue injury caused by chronic inflammation. Evidence indicates that the mucus layer covering the epithelium is altered during UC and experimental colitis. Our aim in this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of probiotic during DSS-induced colitis by modulating the immune system and colonic mucus production. For that purpose, the probiotic formulation Ultrabiotique® (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium breve) was administered daily for 7 d to mice with colitis. Probiotic supplementation improved clinical symptoms and histological alterations observed during DSS induced colitis. Ultrabiotique® treatment down regulated the NO production by peritoneal macrophages of DSS-treated mice and enhanced mucus production in both DSS-treated and healthy mice. In conclusion, the modification of microflora by the Ultrabiotique® played a beneficial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier and promoted tissue repair.
CSiSAT: A satisfiability solver for SMT formulas with continuous probability distributions

Stochastic Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SSMT) [1] is a quantitative extension of classical Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT) inspired by stochastic logics. It extends SMT by the usual as well as randomized quantifiers, facilitating capture of stochastic game properties in the logic, like reachability analysis of hybrid-state Markov decision processes. Solving for SSMT formulae with quantification over finite and thus discrete domain has been addressed by Tino Teige et al. [2] and its continuous extension has been considered in our previous paper [3]. In this paper, we will discuss some issues regarding to its prototype implementation CSiSAT and test on some cases. The optimization strategies have been discussed which aim at enhancing the efficiency of CSiSAT. At last, a classical realtime scheduling problem is analyzed by using CSiSAT, where randomized execution time is considered.
Emulsification and degradation of “Bunker C” fuel oil by microorganisms

An enrichment culture procedure has been used to isolate mixed culture systems which grow upon “Bunker C” fuel oil. When inoculated into a mineral salts aqueous medium containing Bunker C oil, the mixed cultures initiate oil emulsification. Emulsification usually is observed in 24–48 hr. The role of microbes in this emulsification will be discussed. It appears that certain metabolic products produced by the microbe possess properties of surfactants. Bacteria and fungi have been isolated which possess the ability to cause emulsification. Freeze‐dried biomass is also capable of emulsifying oil. Chromatographic analyses of biodegraded Bunker C fuel oil show that microorganisms selectively metabolize the n‐paraffin fraction.
Concurrent Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Inflammatory Acne, Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp, and Pyoderma Gangrenosum in a 16‐Year‐Old Boy

We report the case of a 16‐year‐old boy who presented to our clinic with concomitant hidradenitis suppurativa, inflammatory acne, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Recent reports describe the co‐occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, and hidradenitis suppurativa. This case further expands the spectrum of concomitant pyoderma gangrenosum and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp.
Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in paediatric ophthalmology: a systematic review

Aim To identify patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) specifically developed and used to assess the impact of ophthalmic disorders in children and to systematically assess their quality as a basis for recommendations about their use in clinical and research settings. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL and AMED, supplemented by a grey literature search. Papers reporting development and validation of questionnaire instruments for assessing patient-reported outcomes of an ophthalmic disorder in patients aged 2–18 years were included. Quality was assessed by examining the purpose and psychometric properties of the instruments. Strengths and limitations were summarised with recommendations regarding use. Results Search identified 17 instruments. Of these, 11 were condition-specific and six were intended for a broader population of children and young people with visual impairment regardless of the ophthalmic condition. Three were developed for use in a specific trial and two are still in development. Conclusions Paediatric ophthalmology PROM development and application is a developing field and new instruments are needed. There is scope for improvement in this area through (a) clarity of definitions of the underlying constructs intended to be measured at the onset of development of new instruments, (b) application of child-centred approaches and (c) adherence to extant guidance and best practice in questionnaire instrument development.
OPTIMIZATION OF 4A ZEOLITE SYNTHESIS AS RECOVERY OF WASTES FROM ALUMINUM FINISHING

A model representing the synthesis process of 4A zeolite from wastes of aluminum finishing plants was obtained and validated through statistical tests. From this model, the optimum values for the molar ratios SiO2/Al2O3, Na2O/SiO2 and H2O/Na2O, which define the type and quality of the synthesized zeolite, were estimated for the use of these wastes as raw material. The obtained zeolites could be used as water softeners in the formulation of detergents. The resulting liquors could be reused in the cleaning of the extrusion matrices used for aluminum profiles or recycled for new zeolites synthesis.
Approximating Quadratic Programs with Semidefinite Relaxations

Given an arbitrary matrix A in which all of the diagonal elements are zero, we would like to find x1, x2, . , xn ∈ {−1, 1} such that ∑n i=1 ∑n j=1 aijxixj is maximized. This problem has an important application in correlation clustering, and is also related to the well-known inequality of Grothendieck in functional analysis. While solving quadratic programs is NP-hard, we can approximate the solution by using the canonical semidefinite relaxation. We would like to know how good an approximation this provides. In this paper we explore this problem computationally in an attempt to find matrices A that result in a large gap between the semidefinite relaxation and the quadratic program.
End-to-side neurorrhaphy in brachial plexus reconstruction.

OBJECT Although a number of theoretical and experimental studies dealing with end-to-side neurorrhaphy (ETSN) have been published to date, there is still a considerable lack of clinical trials investigating this technique. Here, the authors describe their experience with ETSN in axillary and musculocutaneous nerve reconstruction in patients with brachial plexus palsy. METHODS From 1999 to 2007, out of 791 reconstructed nerves in 441 patients treated for brachial plexus injury, the authors performed 21 axillary and 2 musculocutaneous nerve sutures onto the median, ulnar, or radial nerves. This technique was only performed in patients whose donor nerves, such as the thoracodorsal and medial pectoral nerves, which the authors generally use for repair of axillary and musculocutaneous nerves, respectively, were not available. In all patients, a perineurial suture was carried out after the creation of a perineurial window. RESULTS The overall success rate of the ETSN was 43.5%. Reinnervation of the deltoid muscle with axillary nerve suture was successful in 47.6% of the patients, but reinnervation of the biceps muscle was unsuccessful in the 2 patients undergoing musculocutaneous nerve repair. CONCLUSIONS The authors conclude that ETSN should be performed in axillary nerve reconstruction but only when commonly used donor nerves are not available.
Integrating Two Descriptions of Taxonomies with Materialization

This paper presents a precise correspondence between two views of taxonomic hierarchies: an intensional view based on concepts and an extensional view based on categories, i.e., subsets of the population of individuals analyzed in terms of these concepts. The correspondence is described with materialization, a generic relationship defined for object-oriented and entity-relationship information models. The paper introduces materialization and shows how it provides a systematic bridge between both views of taxonomies.
Enhancement of RI Sensitivity Through Bending a Tapered-SMF-Based Balloon-Like Interferometer

An all-fiber sensitivity-enhanced refractive index (RI) balloon-like interferometer based on a tapered single-mode fiber (SMF) is proposed and experimentally investigated. The tapered fiber is designed into a balloon-like shape to form a modal interferometer which is sensitive to external environmental RI solutions. Compared with the untapered-SMF-based modal interferometer with an optimal sensitivity of 187.73 nm/RIU which also has been investigated in this paper, the tapered-SMF-based balloon-like interferometer has an improvement in RI sensitivity. Further, a serial of balloon-like interferometers based on tapered fiber with different bending radii are fabricated to explore the RI sensitivity properties on account of bending. Experimental results show that by bending the tapered-SMF-based balloon-like interferometer, the RI sensitivity has been enhanced further, and a higher sensitivity of 404.9 nm/RIU is achieved, which exhibits great potential in areas related in RI sensing.
Pulse-Based Distance Accumulation Localization Algorithm for Wireless Nanosensor Networks

Wireless nanosensor networks (WNSNs) consist of nano-sized communication devices, which are equipped with nano-transceivers, nano-antennas, and other functional modules. A nanosensor is an integrated device that ranges from 10 to $100~\mu m^{2}$ in size. Due to the limited communication capabilities of WNSNs, existing localization algorithms and protocols for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are no longer applicable to WNSNs. This paper proposes a pulse-based distance accumulation (PBDA) localization algorithm for WNSNs that can be utilized to estimate the distance between nodes with known positions and nodes with unknown positions. The algorithm adopts femtosecond-long pulse for terahertz band communication based on ON–OFF keying (OOK) modulation. A clustering algorithm is first employed to reduce the energy consumption and time delay, then the nano-device analyzes the value of the received pulse based on the OOK modulation and estimates the distance between nodes. MATLAB simulations are implemented to verify the performance of PBDA by comparing it against the flooding-based hop-counting algorithm and cluster based hop-counting algorithm in terms of estimated distance accuracy, energy consumption, and time delay. The trilateral positioning method is also utilized to compare the localization error of PBDA with that of distance vector (DV)-hop. The results show that PBDA is able to support WNSNs with very high density in ranging and locating.
Shakespeare and the Study of Metaphor

HAVE CHOSEN "Shakespeare and the study of metaphor" as my subject partly because it provides us with two points of reference which, although obvious in their connection, have all too rarely been seen together. One is the work of a great poet and dramatist, the study of which involves a sense of history and practical criticism, the other is of a more theoretical nature: it refers to problems of method and approach and, of course, of theory in the study of metaphor. Both aspects are so vast that-even if I were to confine myself to one of them-I could not possibly hope to exhaust either. Shakespeare's work, as the World Congress reminded us, is as boundless as the sea beyond Vancouver Island. The study of metaphor, in its turn, involves very many disciplines, such as aesthetics, rhetoric, philosophical logic, anthropology, linguistics (structural and historical), and, of course, the theory of literature. But if it were possible to link both the historical criticism of Shakespeare and the theory of metaphor, if we could hope to combine, as it were, a sense of literary history and an awareness of aesthetics, then indeed this would provide us with a perspective which neither practical criticism of Shakespeare's imagery nor a philosophical view of metaphor would care to achieve. To strengthen the links between pure theory and practical interpretation, to comprehend a theory of metaphor in the actual process of its application to and conception in the work of a great poet-that, indeed, might be rewarding and, perhaps, fascinating from both the point of view of practical and theoretical criticism, literary history and aesthetics. To plead for these two points of reference is a little more than mere expediency in grappling with a difficult subject, and it points beyond my introductory remarks to this lecture. Rather, it reflects a point of view from which the work of art and the world of history are, in the last instance, indivisible and from which metaphor is neither an autonomous nor an ornamental aspect of poetry but forms the very core and center of that poetic statement by which man as a social being