Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Logic Drivers: A Propagation Delay Modeling Paradigm for Statistical Simulation of Standard Cell Designs

In nanoscale digital CMOS IC design, the large technology parameter variations have boosted the interest in statistical performance analysis. As the huge execution time of SPICE-based transistor-level Monte Carlo analysis is impractical for complex designs, there is a need for making accurate Monte Carlo analysis feasible through fast logic-level simulators. This paper presents a new, general logic model of digital CMOS cells featuring technology variation aware timing, and its prototype implementation in a standard hardware-description-language environment. The application of the approach to typical standard cells and test circuits shows very good agreement with SPICE BSIM4 transistor-level simulation both for nominal delay and for statistical Monte Carlo analyses.
Quality of life in elderly with dizziness

Abstract Dizziness is frequent in elderly people. Aims To evaluate the Quality of Life (QoL) in elderly subjects with dizziness, relate it with gender and age. Material and Method A prospective study comprising 120 elderly patients with dizziness evaluated with Brazilian versions of the Whoqol-bref and the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). The factor analysis (FA), the Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests, and the Spearman correlation were applied to study the results. Results The most compromised domains were the DHI physical domain and the Whoqol-bref physical and environment domains. FA resulted in 3 factors in the DHI and 5 factors in the Whoqolbref. There was a moderate correlation (-0.596) in the total scores of both instruments. Males had a better QoL in the “environment perception and introspectivity” and “health perception” factors of the Whoqol-bref test. Females had a better QoL in the “functionality perception” factor of the Whoqol-bref test. There were no significant age differences. Conclusions Elderly patients with dizziness have a worse QoL. Elderly females with dizziness have worse QoL scores in “environment perception and introspectivity” and “health perception” and better QoL in the “functionality perception” factor compared to elderly males.
Kinematic and Kinetic Gait Characteristics of Normal Children Walking at a Range of Clinically Relevant Speeds

Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained from 36 normal children who walked at five different clinically relevant speeds, which were mostly slower than normal speed. Speed groups were normalized for body height. Speed significantly affected most of the stride parameters, joint angles, joint moments, and the ground reaction force in all three planes of motion. The effects of speed were not always the same over the whole range of speeds studied. The clinical relevance of these findings is that when comparing pathologic gait characteristics with those of normal children, these should be derived from the same walking speed. This may help to differentiate between effects caused by speed and underlying pathology.
Scaling of saturated stimulated Raman scattering with temperature and intensity in ignition scale plasmas

Measurements show the scaling of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) with laser intensity and plasma electron temperature under the conditions expected in ignition experiments. The scaling of the scattered energy with each parameter follows a power law with a small exponent (of order 1). Comparison with simulations suggests SRS is nonlinearly saturated in these cases. Further experiments with high Z dopants showed that the effect of electron-ion collisions on the measured SRS is primarily due to the inverse bremsstrahlung absorption of the scattered light.
DELCA: DVFS Efficient Low Cost Multicore Architecture

The energy efficiency of dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), a popular technique used for energy and thermal management, is substantially reduced in deep sub-micron (DSM) technology nodes. This can be attributed to a limited voltage scaling range in DSM nodes as well as the observation that circuits designed for highest performance are inherently power hungry and energy inefficient at other operating points. This paper proposes a DVFS efficient low-cost multicore architecture (DELCA) for dark silicon that is energy efficient and has much lower cost and faster design cycle time compared to custom designed heterogeneous or dynamically reconfigurable multicores. We also propose a runtime flexible application degree of parallelism based scheduling scheme (FlexDoP). Experimental results indicate that DELCA + FlexDoP can improve energy efficiency by 24.4% and enhance throughput by 16.5% compared to conventional multicores for a given power budget.
Comparisons between African American Girls' and Parents' Perceptions of Girls' Weight Concerns and Weight Control Behaviors

Weight concerns and weight control behaviors were evaluated among sixty 8–10 year-old African American girls and their parents/caregivers. Girls completed the McKnight Risk Factor Survey and parents completed a modified version regarding perceptions of their daughters' concerns and behaviors. Significant correlations between girls' and parents' were seen for Overconcern with Weight and Shape (r = .56) and Weight Control Behaviors (r = .33). Parents' correctly identified 72% of girls' responses for Overconcern with Weight and Shape, 60% for Binge, 85% for Purging and 58% for Weight Control Behaviors scales using clinical cutoffs. However, more stringent agreement coefficients indicated generally poor concordance between girls and parents. The modified McKnight may be useful for assessing awareness of these issues.
Pricing and incentives

The structure of electric rates is increasingly being used as a demand-side tool by U.S. electric utilities. Over the past decade, more than half of the larger utilities have implemented either rates which vary by time-of-day, or where discounts are given to customers who reduce loads upon request. Many other new rate forms are being employed as well, primarily to reflect the changing structure of costs seen by utilities today.
Etude et optimisation des systèmes à courant porteurs domestiques fac aux perturbations du réseau électrique

Avec le developpement des techniques d'acces telles que le xDSL ou le FTTH, la plupart des operateurs de telecommunications proposent de nouveaux services a tres haut debit, tels que l'Internet, la telephonie ou la television sur IP. En prolongement du reseau d'acces, l'utilisation de systemes a courants porteurs domestiques permet d'acceder a l'ensemble de ces services au niveau de chaque prise de l'habitation. Cependant, le reseau electrique n'est pas adapte pour la transmission d'un signal numerique et les autres dispositifs electriques connectes risquent de perturber la communication. Ce travail de these consiste a analyser le fonctionnement des systemes a courants porteurs face a ces perturbations et propose plusieurs solutions d'optimisation complementaires. D'une part, nous nous sommes interesses a la detection et la mitigation des perturbations impulsives, en exposant des techniques qui ont permis d'ameliorer les performances et la qualite de service des systemes. D'autre part, nous developpons des algorithmes de diminution du bruit introduit par le convertisseur analogique/numerique, ce qui permet de resoudre de fortes contraintes d'implementation. Enfin, l'etude s'attache a definir une meilleure gestion du spectre de puissance, afin d'augmenter les debits et la qualite de service tout en respectant les contraintes de la reglementation.
Digital Image Watermarking using DWT-SVD HF Technique

In this research work adopted the frequency domain watermarking scheme which is embedded using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) singular value decomposition (SVD) and High Boost Filtering (HF). By singular values factoring it represent smaller set of values and it can preserve constructive feature of an original image. After that, apply high boost filtering in decomposed in high frequency sub-band on both images to improve the value PSNR. The MSE, PSNR and NC performance parameters are taken to measure the efficiency of the propose method. The simulated experimentation is done in MATLAB and the simulation results of propose method (DWT-SVD-HF) gives improved results than the existing method (DWT).
Effect of the Intensity of Transcutaneous Acupoint Electrical Stimulation on the Postoperative Analgesic Requirement

Given the inherent side effects associated with both opioid and nonopioid analgesic drugs, a nonpharmacologic therapy that could decrease the need for analgesic medication would be valuable.We designed a shamcontrolled study to assess the effect of the intensity of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) on postoperative patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) requirement for hydromorphone (HM), the incidence of opioid-related side effects, and the recovery profile after lower abdominal surgery. One hundred one healthy consenting women undergoing lower abdominal procedures with a standardized general anesthetic technique were randomly assigned to one of four postoperative analgesic treatment regimens: Group I (n = 26) PCA only; Group II (n = 25), PCA + sham-TAES (no electrical stimulation); Group III (n = 25), PCA + low-TAES (4-5 mA of electrical stimulation); Group IV (n = 25), PCA + high-TAES (9-12 mA of electrical stimulation). The PCA device was programmed to deliver HM, 0.2-0.4 mg intravenously boluses "on demand," with a minimum lockout interval of 10 min. The TAES skin electrodes were placed at the Hegu acupoint on the nondominant hand and on both sides of the surgical incision. The TAES frequency was set in the dense-and-disperse mode, alternating at 2 Hz and 100 Hz every 3 s, with stimulation of the hand and incision alternated every 6 s. The patients in Groups II-IV were instructed to use TAES every 2 h for 30 min while awake. After discontinuation of PCA, oral pain medications were administered on demand. The postoperative PCA-HM requirement, pain scores, opioid-related side effects, and requirements for antiemetic and antipruritic medication were recorded. High-TAES decreased the HM requirement by 65% and reduced the duration of PCA therapy, as well as the incidence of nausea, dizziness, and pruritus. Low-TAES produced a 34% decrease in the HM requirement compared with only 23% in the "sham" TAES group. We conclude that high-TAES produced a significant decrease in the PCA opioid requirement and opioid-related side effects after low intraabdominal surgery. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:406-13)
Generalized Cheney-Loeb-Dinkelbach-Type Algorithms

We present a class of generalized Cheney-Loeb-Dinkelbach-type (i.e. DC-type) algorithms, together with the problems they solve, and discuss convergence properties. Our algorithms, which are as simple as the DC one, are applicable to classes of programs larger than fractional. In two particular cases, the first being an essentially max-min problem and the second a Pareto extremum, we prove 1.61 and second order convergence respectively. Applications are given to extended fractional max-min and fractional Pareto extremum problems.
A Token Economy Project with Chronic Schizophrenic Patients

The token economy is an application of operant conditioning theory which is particularly relevant to the treatment of patients in institutions. The basic idea is to motivate the patient to behave more appropriately and constructively by giving him tokens whenever he behaves in such a way. The tokens have an incentive function, as the patient can cash them in for a number of different things, such as pleasant single room accommodation, cigarettes, magazines, TV viewing, drinks etc., depending upon what is programmed into the token economy. The theory of operant conditioning is that not only does the token motivate the patient to behave in certain ways, but ‘reinforces' his behaviour. Such reinforced behaviour should eventually become an integral part of the ‘way he is', continuing even when the token is removed.
Efficient XML query processing

The increase in popularity of the XML format for representing data brought multiple challenges to the data management community, in particular concerning efficient query evaluation. At the same time, XML technologies are highly connected to distribution and data exchange, leading to the need for new distributed data management techniques. We present some results of our work on issues related to XML query processing. We first introduce a new language for describing materialized views, called XML Access Modules or XAMs, and a complete approach for XQuery evaluation based on XAM-specified views. We then discuss optimization techniques for ActiveXML, a language for the integration of distributed XML streams. Finally, we discuss architectures for handling large volumes of XML data on distributed hash tables, in the KadoP and ViP2P platforms developed in the Gemo group.
Metabolism of serum free fatty acid and low-density lipoproteins in the cold-acclimated rat.

Abstract : Albumin-bound palmitate-1-14C was injected intravenously into groups of cold-acclimated (4 C) and control (22 C) rats. The appearance of the palmitate-1-14C label in the triglyceride (TG) fraction of the liver and serum lipids was followed for 90 min after injection. No difference in the levels of radioactivity in the liver TG was found between the two groups of animals, but recovery of the label in the serum TG was lower in the cold-acclimated rat. When Triton was injected intravenously 5 min after an initial injection of palmitate-1-14C, the resulting accumulation of serum TG and radioactivity was higher in control animals than in corresponding acclimated rats. In a second study, 14C-labeled FFA, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) labeled mainly in the TG fraction were injected into both groups of animals. Fractional turnover rates of FFA, VLDL, and LDL were higher in the cold-acclimated rats than in the corresponding control animals. Serum volume was higher in the cold-acclimated rats but the calculated turnover of VLDL was reduced to 48% of that found for the control group. (Author)
The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

To the Editor: We describe the usefulness of the PFA II and P2Y12 assays in determining the residual antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel when neuraxial block is planned. The patient was a 68-year-old man who sustained a left femoral neck fracture and was scheduled for a hemiarthroplasty of the left side of the hip. He had a history of failed intubation because of his ankylosing spondylitis and placement of 3 bare metal coronary artery stents. He has been taking 75 mg of clopidogrel and 81 mg of aspirin daily since stent placement. The clopidogrel and aspirin were stopped 5 days before the surgery, although the patient was administered aspirin on the day of the surgery. Physical examination showed severely limited range of motion of his neck. His platelet count was 235,000/KL. The PFA II result was 87 seconds (reference range, 41Y134 seconds). The P2Y12 assay showed 8% platelet inhibition and a platelet reaction unit (PRU) of 250 (reference range, 194Y 418). We performed spinal anesthesia with 12 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine, which resulted in a sensory level of T4. He was brought to the post anesthesia care unit with a sensory level of T5, and there was complete sensory and motor recovery 3.5 hrs later. There was no bruising at the site of the spinal anesthesia, and the rest of his recovery was uneventful. The American Society of Regional Anesthesia consensus guidelines recommend the discontinuation of clopidogrel for 7 days before a neuraxial injection. There is a case report of a caudal steroid injection 5 days after discontinuation of the clopidogrel; no test of platelet activity was performed before the injection. In our patient, we performed a spinal anesthesia in view of the 8% platelet inhibition and a P2Y12 PRU that showed no residual antiplatelet activity of the clopidogrel. The numbers representing residual platelet reactivity (Q68 seconds for the PFA II and Q264 P2Y12 PRU for the P2Y12 assay) were determined in 1267 patients by comparing the 2 assays with the light transmission aggregation test, the standard test for the determination of antiplatelet activity of drugs. It was also noted that there was a better correlation of the P2Y12 assay with light transmission aggregation than the PFA test. The PFA test cost $154.00, whereas the P2Y12 assay costs $459.00. Another test, the platelet mapping portion in the thrombelastography, has been used, but limitations in its clinical usefulness have been noted. Our 1 case of an uneventful spinal anesthesia does not guarantee the safety of neuraxial injections 5 days after clopidogrel is stopped. If a neuraxial injection has to be performed before 7 days after clopidogrel is stopped, then either the PFA II or the P2Y12 assay, preferably the P2Y12 assay if available, should be considered to determine the residual antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel. Further studies are required to determine the clinical appropriateness of these tests.
Value of Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Pattern Analysis in Improving Diabetes Outcomes

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important adjunct to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing. This action can distinguish between fasting, preprandial, and postprandial hyperglycemia; detect glycemic excursions; identify and monitor resolution of hypoglycemia; and provide immediate feedback to patients about the effect of food choices, activity, and medication on glycemic control. Pattern analysis is a systematic approach to identifying glycemic patterns within SMBG data and then taking appropriate action based upon those results. The use of pattern analysis involves: (1) establishing pre- and postprandial glucose targets; (2) obtaining data on glucose levels, carbohydrate intake, medication administration (type, dosages, timing), activity levels and physical/emotional stress; (3) analyzing data to identify patterns of glycemic excursions, assessing any influential factors, and implementing appropriate action(s); and (4) performing ongoing SMBG to assess the impact of any therapeutic changes made. Computer-based and paper-based data collection and management tools can be developed to perform pattern analysis for identifying patterns in SMBG data. This approach to interpreting SMBG data facilitates rational therapeutic adjustments in response to this information. Pattern analysis of SMBG data can be of equal or greater value than measurement of HbA1c levels.
A 0.4-4 Gb/s CMOS quad transceiver cell using on-chip regulated dual-loop PLLs

A quad high-speed transceiver cell is designed and implemented in 0.13 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. To achieve low jitter while maintaining low power consumption, dual on-chip regulators are used for each dual-loop PLL. The prototype chip demonstrates that the links can operate from 400 Mb/s to 4 Gb/s with a bit error rate <10/sup -14/. The quad cell consumes 390 mW at 2.5 Gb/s (95 mW/link) under typical operating conditions with a 400 mV output swing driving double terminated links.
Quaternary conformational stability: The effect of reversible self‐association on the fibrillation of two insulin analogs

Under conditions relevant to the manufacturing of insulin (e.g., pH 3, room temperature), biosynthetic human insulin (BHI), and Lispro insulin (Lispro) require a nucleation step to initiate aggregation. However, upon seeding with preformed aggregates, both insulins rapidly aggregate into nonnative fibrils. Far ultraviolet circular dichroism (far‐UV CD) and second derivative Fourier transform infrared (2D‐FTIR) spectroscopic analyses show that the fibrillation process involves a change in protein secondary structure from α‐helical in native insulin to predominantly β‐sheet in the nonnative fibrils. After seeding, Lispro aggregates faster than BHI, likely because of a reduced propensity to reversibly self‐associate. Composition gradient multi‐angle light scattering (CG‐MALS) analyses show that Lispro is more monomeric than BHI, whereas their conformational stabilities measured by denaturant‐induced unfolding are statistically indistinguishable. For both BHI and Lispro, as the protein concentration increases, the apparent first‐order rate constant for soluble protein loss decreases. To explain these phenomena, we propose an aggregation model that assumes fibril growth through monomer addition with competitive inhibition by insulin dimers. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108: 2359–2370. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PTSD Symptoms and Comorbid Mental Disorders in Israeli War Veterans

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of mental disorders comorbid with PTSD symptoms in young Israeli men exposed to combat. Method Six hundred and seventeen subjects were selected via a general population sample and evaluated in a two-phase case-identification procedure, culminating in a modified SADS–L interview, administered by psychiatrists. Results Major depressive disorder (OR=3.2), substance use disorders (OR=1.9) and personality disorders (OR=3.0) occurred more frequently in men reporting symptoms of PTSD than in men who had been under fire who did not report symptoms. With the possible exception of personality disorders, comorbid disorders did not constitute risk factors for PTSD. Comorbid PTSD and RDC disorders were associated with increased help-seeking. Conclusions The results suggest similar rates and types of PTSD comorbidity in Israeli war veterans as in veterans in the US assessed in general population studies, and are consistent with shared risk factors for PTSD and comorbid disorders.
Clinical pharmacology review of escitalopram for the treatment of depression

Introduction: Depression is a serious and debilitating psychiatric condition with serious societal health and economic implications. Escitalopram, the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram, is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder. Areas covered: This review covers the clinical pharmacology of escitalopram, with emphasis on regulatory approval. Its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical efficacy for major depressive disorder are evaluated, along with data regarding safety and tolerability. Expert opinion: Drug development of escitalopram was heavily guided by prior approval of citalopram. Select safety and efficacy studies for escitalopram in combination with supportive evidence from the results of prior citalopram studies allowed for regulatory approval for acute and maintenance claims in both adults and adolescents, while minimizing burden on the sponsor. Escitalopram has been shown to have better efficacy and safety profile than other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor drugs, including racemic citalopram. The first generic escitalopram was approved in 2012, along with Abbreviated New Drug Applications. The associated cost savings have helped reduce the burden of weighing the benefits of escitalopram over less-expensive alternatives.
Local Probing of Magnetization Reversal in Ni–Fe Elliptical Dots With Variable Geometry

We have investigated the detailed magnetization reversal in 10-nm-thick Ni-Fe elliptical dots with several dot sizes using magnetic field sweeping (MFS)-magnetic force microscopy (MFM). At the dot edges, the shape of the phase (the stray field) curve versus magnetic field changes from a stepped hysteresis loop to a almost nonstepped hysteresis loop with increasing dot size. On the other hand, at the center within the dot, sharp or weak decreases in phase are observed as the magnetic field is varied. From these results, it is found that, in the magnetization reversal of a 10-nm-thick Ni-Fe elliptical dot with several dot sizes, the dominant factor changes from the change in the magnetic domain configuration to the domain wall motion as the length of major axis increases.