Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Configurable pulse routing architecture for accelerated multi-node neuromorphic systems

Large-scale neuromorphic systems exploit the rapid development of VLSI technology to emulate a wide variety of contemporary neuroscientific models, providing high integration density and power efficiency. One crucial aspect of these systems is the implementation of a routing architecture for the pulse events produced by the neural computation. In this paper we present such a design capable to successfully handle the routing requirements of an accelerated and multi-node neuromorphic system. Pulses can be duplicated at each node, allowing for a tree-like and parallel routing of neural events to different post-synaptic neuron blocks with configurable propagation delay for each transmission. The proposed link-tag routing technique minimizes the total network traffic. The overall design keeps the utilization of hardware resources low and significantly improves the throughput, which is especially important for an accelerated system.
Histochemical and Biochemical Observations on Storage Protein Metabolism and Protein Body Autolysis in Cotyledons of Germinating Mung Beans1

Storage protein hydrolysis in the cotyledons of germinating mung beans (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) was examined by histochemical techniques, and the autolytic capacity of isolated pro- tein bodies was studied with biochemical methods. The localization of endopeptidase activity within the cotyledons was studied using an India ink-gelatin film technique. After 24 hours of imbibition, a low level of endopeptidase activity was found throughout the storage tissues of the cotyledons. A marked increase in activity was noted in cells farthest from the vascular bundles 48 to 60 hours after the start of imbibition. The decrease in storage protein followed the same spatial distribution starting in the cells farthest from the bundles. The cotyledons contain a population of cells in various stages of endopeptidase activity enhancement and storage protein degradation. A wave of endopeptidase activity moves progres- sively through the cotyledons towards the vascular bundles leaving behind areas devoid of stored reserves and low in endopeptidase activity. Observations on the morphology of protein bodies during germination indicate that the membrane surrounding them remains intact, while the reserves disappear. This result suggests that the protein bodies may be undergoing autolysis. To determine whether this may indeed be the case, protein bodies were isolated from the meal of mung bean seeds using an aqueous medium containing 80% glycerol. The protein body preparations and the cytoplasm were assayed for the presence of a number of enzymes which may be involved in the breakdown of the storage proteins. The protein bodies contained all, or nearly all, of the carboxypeptidase, a-man-nosidase, N-acetyl-,8-glucosaminidase, and caseolytic activity. The cytoplasm contained all, or most, of the leucine aminopeptidase and the trypsin-like activity (benzoyl arginine-p-nitroanalide as substrate). Incubation of the isolated protein bodies resulted in the release of amino acids. An analysis of the products of hydrolysis indicated that very little, if any, storage protein was being hydrolyzed during the incubation. Hydrolysis of the storage proteins present in the protein bodies was greatly accelerated by the addition of extracts from the cotyledons of 4-day-old seedlings. The results suggest that new enzymic activities not present in the protein bodies isolated from dry seeds must either be activated or synthesized and possibly added to the protein bodies before storage protein breakdown can begin.
Microgrid efficiency enhancement based on neuro-fuzzy MPPT control for Photovoltaic generator

In terms of optimal Microgrid (MG) control, the output power of a non-dispatchable Distributed Generation (DG) as a Photovoltaic (PV) system need to be controlled based on the optimal operating condition of its primary energy source by the mean of a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to extract the potential maximum power which is nonlinearly depending on the weather conditions. In this work we presented a new methodology for this purpose using an approach based on a neuro-fuzzy generalized method to estimate the reference voltage (V*pv) that guaranties an optimal power transfer between the DG and the microgrid. The neuro-fuzzy network is composed of a fuzzy rule-based classifier and three Radial Basis Functions Neural Networks (RBFNN). Inputs of the network (irradiance and temperature) are classified before they are fed into the appropriated network for either training or estimation process. Simulation results under several rapid irradiance variations proved that the proposed MPPT control for the PV generator achieved high energy conversion efficiency comparing to a Normal Operating Power (NOP) (when the PV generator is directly coupled to the inverter, without MPPT control).
Evaluating the Invariance and Validity of the Structure of Dysfunctional Attitudes in an Adolescent Population

Form A of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS-A), a self-report measure of depressive beliefs, is widely used to test Beck's cognitive model of depression. The present study is the first to evaluate the DAS-A factor structure in an adolescent population of 542 high school juniors and the first to examine a hierarchical model. Findings support the existence of a hierarchical structure consisting of two conceptually meaningful group factors (Dysfunctional Attitudes About Achievement and Dysfunctional Attitudes About Needing Approval), a method factor consisting of reverse-worded items, and a general factor, which accounts for 65% of the variance in total scores. The general factor is related to sociotropy, autonomy, and neuroticism, whereas the Dysfunctional Attitudes About Achievement and Dysfunctional Attitudes About Needing Approval factors demonstrate convergent and discriminant validity with respect to autonomy and sociotropy. The structure displays partial metric invariance in female and male students as well as in Caucasian and Non-Caucasian students.
Combinatorial codons: A computer program to approximate amino acid probabilities with biased nucleotide usage

Using techniques from optimization theory, we have developed a computer program that approximates a desired probability distribution for amino acids by imposing a probability distribution on the four nucleotides in each of the three codon positions. These base probabilities allow for the generation of biased codons for use in mutational studies and in the design of biologically encoded libraries. The dependencies between codons in the genetic code often makes the exact generation of the desired probability distribution for amino acids impossible. Compromises are often necessary. The program, therefore, not only solves for the “optimal” approximation to the desired distribution (where the definition of “optimal” is influenced by several types of parameters entered by the user), but also solves for a number of “sub‐optimal” solutions that are classified into families ofsimilar solutions. A representative of each family is presented to the program user, who can then choose the type of approximation that is best for the intended application. The Combinatorial Codons program is available for use over the web from http://www.wi. mit.edu/kim/computing.html.
Concertina browsers: a formative evaluation of user preference

Evidence suggests that concertina browsers – browsers with the facility to expand and contract sections of information – are important in providing the reader with an enhanced cognition of small to medium amounts of information. These systems have been shown to be useful for visually disabled users surfing the World Wide Web (Web), and with the development of the Mobile Web, there has been renewed interest in their use. This is due to the similarities of reduced or constrained vision found to exist between visually impaired users and the users of mobile devices. The cognition of information fragments is key to the user experience and the reduction of ‘information overload’; as such we are concerned with assisting designers of concertina browsers in providing an enhanced user experience by ascertaining user preference through a formative evaluation of concertina summaries. This aspect of browsing is important because in all concertina systems there is a distinct cognition speed/depth trade-off. Here we investigate a number of these concertina summarization techniques against each other. We describe a formative evaluation which concludes that users prefer concertina summarization of Web documents starting from 6.25% slices of both the top and bottom and expanding from the top in 2% steps to a target maximum of 18.50% (being 12.25% from the top and 6.25% from the bottom). These preferences were found to be representative of documents of less than 600 words of content, and included the preference to not fragment an individual sentence even if that meant slightly increasing the target: Starting, maximum, and step percentage slices.
Investigating the Postmortem Molecular Biology of Cartilage and its Potential Forensic Applications

This study investigated the postmortem molecular changes that articular cartilage undergoes following burial. Fresh pig trotters were interred in 30‐cm‐deep graves at two distinct locations exhibiting dissimilar soil environments for up to 42 days. Extracts of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint cartilage from trotters disinterred weekly over 6 weeks were analyzed by Western blot against the monoclonal antibody 2‐B‐6 to assess aggrecan degradation. In both soil conditions, aggrecan degradation by‐products of decreasing molecular size and complexity were observed up to 21 days postmortem. Degradation products were undetected after this time and coincided with MCP/MTP joint exposure to the soil environment. These results show that cartilage proteoglycans undergo an ordered molecular breakdown, the analysis of which may have forensic applications. This model may prove useful for use as a human model and for forensic investigations concerning crimes against animals and the mortality of endangered species.
Fatigability, relaxation properties, and electromyographic responses of the human paralyzed soleus muscle.

1. The goal of this study was to characterize the fatigability, contractile relaxation properties, electrophysiological responses, and histochemical properties of the human paralyzed soleus muscle to determine its relative plasticity. 2. Acute (< 6 wk, n = 3) and chronic (> 1 yr, n = 10) paralyzed individuals had the tibial nerve activated with a 20-Hz square wave delivered for 330 ms every second for 4 min. The soleus muscle peak torque, one-half relaxation time (1/2RT), normalized maximum rate of relaxation (nMRR), and mass muscle action-potential amplitude (M wave) were computed every 30 s. A soleus muscle biopsy was evaluated for myosin adenosine triphosphatase enzyme (ATPase; pH 9.4, 4.6, and 4.2) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR). 3. In the chronically paralyzed group the torque was significantly reduced within 30 s of the fatigue protocol. The 1/2RT and nMRR were also significantly changed within 30 s, supporting that muscle relaxation was prolonged. No significant changes were present at comparable times during the same 4-min fatigue protocol applied to the acutely paralyzed soleus muscle. M-wave amplitude was significantly reduced in the chronic group, but only at 3 min of the fatigue protocol. Conversely, no significant changes occurred to the M waves of the acute group. 4. The correlation was high between torque and nMRR (r = 0.88-0.97) and torque and 1/2RT (r = 0.88-0.96) for each chronic subject. A close association was also found between 1/2RT and nMRR (r = 0.88-0.92) for each chronic subject. Because these variables changed minimally in the acutely paralyzed group, a lower correlation was present (r = 0.45-0.52). 5. Torque was weakly correlated to M-wave amplitude (r = 0.55) for the chronically paralyzed group. The greatest change in torque occurred at a time (0-65 s) when the least amount of change occurred in the M-wave amplitude, suggesting that the source of fatigue was within the contractile mechanism and not attributable to neuromuscular transmission compromise. 6. Despite a close association between torque and relaxation properties during fatigue of the chronically paralyzed soleus muscle, there was a significant dissociation after 5 min of recovery. Torque recovered to 60%, whereas the relaxation properties were consistently fully recovered. This suggests that the mechanism causing torque reduction covaried with the mechanism leading to prolonged relaxation during fatigue, but during recovery the two mechanisms no longer covaried. M-wave amplitude was also completely recovered at 5 min despite continued torque depression. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Expression of E‐cadherin in prostate cancer in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues: correlation with pathological features

Aims: E‐cadherin has been studied recently as a potential marker for tumour progression. The present study aimed to assess the expression of E‐cadherin in formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded radical prostatectomy specimens and to compare its expression with the pathological stage and Gleason score. Methods: This study comprised a total of 58 men who were selected on the basis of the negative surgical margins of surgical specimens from radical retropubic prostatectomies and concomitant pelvic lymph node dissections. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining was performed as described previously using HECD‐1 monoclonal antibody with the retrieval of antigen by treatment of the paraffin‐embedded tissue with microwaves in citrate buffer. Results: Aberrant staining patterns of E‐cadherin were observed in 18 (64%) and in 25 (83%) of cases with pathological stages pT2 and pT3a, respectively ( P > 0.05). Immunohistochemical examination also revealed aberrant staining patterns of E‐cadherin in 16 (89%) of specimens with Gleason score S 7 and in 27 (68%) of specimens with Gleason score < 7 ( P > 0.05). Biochemical recurrence was identified in three (5%) patients and immunohistochemical examination of their specimens revealed aberrant staining patterns of E‐cadherin molecule in all of them. Conclusion: Our preliminary results indicate that, even though we could not demonstrate any significant correlation between E‐cadherin staining pattern and tumour invasion and Gleason scores, aberrant staining patterns of E‐cadherin may be a significant predictor for disease recurrence following radical prostatectomies if supported by large scale studies.
Dose fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery for large arteriovenous malformations on daily or alternate day schedule outside the linear quadratic model: Proof of concept and early results. A substitute to volume fractionation

Background: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of dose fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery (DFGKRS) on a daily schedule beyond the linear quadratic (LQ) model, for large volume arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Material and Methods: Between 2012-16, 14 patients of large AVMs (median volume 26.5 cc) unsuitable for surgery or embolization were treated in 2-3 of DFGKRS sessions. The Leksell G frame was kept in situ during the whole procedure. 86% (n = 12) patients had radiologic evidence of bleed, and 43% (n = 6) had presented with a history of seizures. 57% (n = 8) patients received a daily treatment for 3 days and 43% (n = 6) were on an alternate day (2 fractions) regimen. The marginal dose was split into 2 or 3 fractions of the ideal prescription dose of a single fraction of 23-25 Gy. Results: The median follow up period was 35.6 months (8-57 months). In the three-fraction scheme, the marginal dose ranged from 8.9-11.5 Gy, while in the two-fraction scheme, the marginal dose ranged from 11.3-15 Gy at 50% per fraction. Headache (43%, n = 6) was the most common early postoperative complication, which was controlled with short course steroids. Follow up evaluation of at least three years was achieved in seven patients, who have shown complete nidus obliteration in 43% patients while the obliteration has been in the range of 50-99% in rest of the patients. Overall, there was a 67.8% reduction in the AVM volume at 3 years. Nidus obliteration at 3 years showed a significant rank order correlation with the cumulative prescription dose (p 0.95, P value 0.01), with attainment of near-total (more than 95%) obliteration rates beyond 29 Gy of the cumulative prescription dose. No patient receiving a cumulative prescription dose of less than 31 Gy had any severe adverse reaction. In co-variate adjusted ordinal regression, only the cumulative prescription dose had a significant correlation with common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) severity (P value 0.04), independent of age, AVM volume, number of fractions and volume of brain receiving atleast 8 Gy of radiation. Conclusion: DFGKRS is feasible for large AVMs with a fair nidus obliteration rate and acceptable toxicity. Cumulative prescription dose seems to be the most significant independent predictor for outcome following DFGKRS with 29-30 Gy resulting in a fair nidus obliteration with least adverse events.
Economic Inequality, Working-Class Power, Social Capital, and Cause-Specific Mortality in Wealthy Countries

This study tests two propositions from Navarro's critique of the social capital literature: that social capital's importance has been exaggerated and that class-related political factors, absent from social epidemiology and public health, might be key determinants of population health. The authors estimate cross-sectional associations between economic inequality, working-class power, and social capital and life expectancy, self-rated health, low birth weight, and age- and cause-specific mortality in 16 wealthy countries. Of all the health outcomes, the five variables related to birth and infant survival and nonintentional injuries had the most consistent association with economic inequality and working-class power (in particular with strength of the welfare state) and, less so, with social capital indicators. Rates of low birth weight and infant deaths from all causes were lower in countries with more “left” (e.g., socialist, social democratic, labor) votes, more left members of parliament, more years of social democratic government, more women in government, and various indicators of strength of the welfare state, as well as low economic inequality, as measured in a variety of ways. Similar associations were observed for injury mortality, underscoring the crucial role of unions and labor parties in promoting workplace safety. Overall, social capital shows weaker associations with population health indicators than do economic inequality and working-class power. The popularity of social capital and exclusion of class-related political and welfare state indicators does not seem to be justified on empirical grounds.
Ultrasonography‐guided percutaneous core biopsy in Achilles tendon disorder

Ultrasound‐guided percutaneous core biopsy technique was studied in 15 consecutive patients with chronic Achilles tendon disorder defined as persisting local pain during daily activities, localized pain and swelling on palpation 2‐5 cm proximal to the calcaneal insertion. Ultrasound verified widening of the tendon and low echogenous areas at the site of pain. Percutaneous biopsies were taken from both the low echogenous areas and the normoechogenic tendon tissue. Of 104 core biopsies 99 were representative. Open biopsies were taken from the macroscopically injured and normal tendon for comparison. Core and open biopsies of the low echogenous and macroscopically injured tendon showed similar histopatology. In 10 patients the core biopsy was performed under local anesthesia with limited subjective symptoms. Five of these patients were operated 18–41 days later. No adverse effect was found referring to the biopsy taken a few weeks prior to surgery. No complications occurred. We conclude that the percutaneous core biopsy, guided by ultrasound and performed under local anesthesia, can be used under clinical and experimental in vivo studies for improving knowledge on pathoanatomy and healing processes of the Achilles tendon.
Critique of Sohlberg and Birgegard's (2003) Report of Persistent Complex Effects of Subliminal Psychodynamic Activation Messages

Silverman in 1983 held that the unconscious encoding of MOMMY AND I ARE ONE triggers a fantasy of symbiotic union with the good mother of early childhood. In contrast, later Sohlberg and Birgegard contended that MOMMY AND I triggers associations to similarity issues with mother, associations that may be influenced by the words following MOMMY AND I. Although their messages produce, almost invariably, no reportable sensation, Sohlberg and Birgegard claimed strong evidence for the influence of such messages on perception, motivation, and memory, 10 days poststimulation and suggestive evidence 4 mo. later. Their findings are not compelling evidence for these claims; and there is no evidence that any result was associated with the unconscious encoding of the psychodynamic meaning of a multiword message.
Effects of spacer thickness on noise performance of bipolar transistors

The effects of spacer thickness on noise performance of a bipolar junction transistor with different emitter widths and operation frequencies are examined. The minimum noise figure (NF/sub min/) derived from the Y-parameters as well as the base (r/sub B/) and emitter resistance (r/sub E/) obtained from the device simulation is used as a measure of noise characteristics. Furthermore, the noise resistance (R/sub n/), optimum source admittance (Y/sub sop/), and the associated gain (G/sub A,assc/) are also given in this brief. To achieve the minimum value of NF/sub min/, the spacer thickness should be targeted to an optimal value, and its value is frequency and geometry dependent.
Precoding and the Accuracy of Automated Analysis of Child Language Samples

Precoding and the Accuracy of Automated Analysis of Child Language Samples Rachel Christine Winiecke Department of Communication Disorders, BYU Master of Science Language sample analysis is accepted as the gold standard in child language assessment. Unfortunately it is often viewed as too time consuming for the practicing clinician. Over the last 15 years a great deal of research has been invested in the automated analysis of child language samples to make the process more time efficient. One step in the analysis process may be precoding the sample, as is used in the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) software. However, a claim has been made (MacWhinney, 2008) that such precoding in fact leads to lower accuracy because of manual coding errors. No data on this issue have been published. The current research measured the accuracy of language samples analyzed with and without SALT precoding. This study also compared the accuracy of current software to an older version called GramCats (Channell & Johnson 1999). The results presented support the use of precoding schemes such as SALT and suggest that the accuracy of automated analysis has improved over time.