Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RT-Level ITC'99 Benchmarks and First ATPG Results

New design flows require reducing work at the gate level and performing most activities before the synthesis step, including evaluation of testability of circuits. We propose a suite of RT-level benchmarks that help improve research in high-level ATPG tools. First results on the benchmarks obtained with our prototype tool show the feasibility of the approach.
Supporting the mental health and psychosocial well-being of former child soldiers.

In contemporary armed conflicts, most of which are fought within state borders, armed forces and groups recruit significant numbers of children, defined under international law as people younger than 18 years. Commanders often recruit girls and boys as porters, spies, laborers, fighters, and sex slaves, among other purposes. Some commanders prefer children because they can slip through checkpoints without arousing suspicion and are easy to intimidate, obedient, willing to take risks that many adults would avoid taking, and replaceable. Inside armed groups or forces, children often witness or perpetrate killings, undergo brutal ‘‘training’’ in which they may be forced to kill other children in the group who try to escape, and attack armed enemies or unarmed civilians, including their own villages. In African countries, many child soldiers are plied with drugs such as cannabis and amphetamines to make them fearless, and traditional healers may provide charms and rituals designed to make the young soldiers ‘‘bulletproof. ’’ Girls’ gendered experiences frequently include rape, impregnation by one’s captor or ‘‘bush husband,’’ birthing under dangerous conditions, and contraction of sexually transmitted infections. Exposure to such violent experiences has profound mental health and psychosocial consequences. Following children’s exploitation by armed forces or groups, a high priority is to provide the mental health and psychosocial supports that protect children’s rights and enable successful integration into civilian life. However, the kinds of supports that are deemed essential depend on one’s understanding of how children have been affected and what successful integration entails. These issues have been contested, as practitioners have divided between Western, clinical approaches and more holistic, culturally grounded, community-based approaches. This article suggests that both approaches are important and can be integrated by organizing multiple layers of intervention as called for in the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
Feature-based Classi cation of Time-series Data

In this paper we propose the use of statistical features for time-series classi cation. The classi cation is performed with a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network. The proposed method is examined in the context of Control Chart Pattern data, which are time series used in Statistical Process Control. Experimental results verify the e ciency of the feature-based classi cation method, compared to previous methods which classify time series based on the values of each time point. Moreover, the results show the robustness of the proposed method against noise and time-series length. Key-words: Data mining, time series, classi cation, statistical features
Laser inhibition of dental caries suggested by first tests in vivo.

Intact tooth enamel from humans was exposed extraorally to a superpulsed, carbon-dioxide laser at energy densities of 10 to 15 joules/cm 2 . When it was tested in the mouth of one of the investigators, the lased enamel proved much more resistant than unlased control enamel to the oral environmental influences generally conducive to dental caries.
An animat's cell doctrine

We present a developmental model to simulate swimming digital organisms following an animat’s cell doctrine. Morphology and control are encoded in one genome concurrently using artificial cells as the basic building blocks for both. Each individual starts with one cell in the middle of a computational environment, and its development is controlled by a gene regulatory network. The cells can differentiate into central pattern generators that control the movements of the resulting individual. After the developmental process, the individual is placed into a physics simulation environment and the distance it swims in a defined time is evaluated. Contrary to most existing models, one genome for both, morphology and control is used and the CPGs representing the dynamic control contribute to the morphology of the organism.
Patient-reported outcomes questionnaire compliance in Cancer Cooperative Group Trials (Alliance N0992)

Background/Aims: The use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials is a focal point for research and policy. Non-compliance with planned questionnaires and missing data can threaten both internal validity and generalizability. This retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the extent of, and characteristics associated with, missing patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Study characteristics, patient characteristics and adverse events, and reasons for non-compliance were compiled from 14 closed Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, or Mayo Clinic Cancer Research Consortium clinical trials. Compliance rates were calculated for each patient using the number of booklets completed while the patient was on trial divided by the number of booklets the patient was expected to complete. Frequency counts and summary statistics were compiled. Logistic regression techniques were employed. Results: The 1640 included patients had a median age of 58 years and were mostly White (90.8%) and female (73.8%). Compliance rates per study ranged from 84.7% to 97.2%. The primary endpoint of overall compliance rate was 93.1%. A total of 1267 patients were compliant. Those non-compliant were slightly older (mean = 58.6 vs 57.5, p = 0.03) and had different types of cancers (p < 0.01). There were no differences in compliance according to tumor status (p = 0.66), clinical stage (p = 0.81), baseline quality of life (p = 0.42 for ≥8 vs <8 and p = 0.12 for ≥6 vs <6), or maximum adverse event grade incidence (p = 0.33 for grade 2+ incidence and p = 0.36 for grade 3+ incidence). Reasons for non-compliance included patient refusal (N = 136), booklet not administered to patient (N = 199), no clinic visit at the scheduled time for booklet completion (N = 40), and at-home-completed booklet not returned (N = 224). Logistic regression indicates gender (p < 0.01), race (p < 0.01), performance score (p = 0.02), dose delay status (p = 0.01), and incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse event (p = 0.03) were correlates of compliance. Conclusion: Patient-reported outcomes have successfully been implemented into Alliance and Mayo Clinic trials with high rates of patient compliance. Further improvement in compliance can be made with staff commitment and education. Patients are typically non-compliant only when the task at hand is burdensome, unclear, or logistically challenging. Existing tracking systems used for the other trial outcomes should be utilized to ensure successful capture of patient-reported outcomes.
Visual Scanning Behaviour during a Visual Search Task: An Objective Indicator of White Matter Integrity in Patients with Post-Concussion Syndrome

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is associated with incomplete recovery following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Currently, there is no biomarker to diagnose post-concussion syndrome. Although microstructural damage to white matter tracts is postulated and reported in some studies, there is no diagnostic biomarker available. In this paper, we present preliminary results of a novel and simple-toadminister eye-tracking paradigm that relates visual scanning behaviour to microstructural integrity of the corpus callosum (CC). The novel paradigm is based on the Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFFT). In the MFFT test, a series of slides each containing a familiar standard figure and six variants are presented. Only one of the variants is identical to the standard figure and subjects are instructed to select the matched variant. The normalised number of transitions to the standard figure prior to the first selection (NNTP) is used as an indirect measure of the microstructural integrity of the CC. Microstructural integrity was evaluated by measuring the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the CC derived from tract based spatial statistics on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Fifty-five patients with PCS completed the visual scanning paradigm and magnetic resonance imaging. Significant inverse correlation was found between the NNTP and the FA of the CC (r= -0.463, p
Acute Toxicity of Senna Didymobotrya Fresen Irwin Roots Used as a Traditional Medicinal Plant in Kenya

Medicinal plants play an important role in the treatment of various illnesses in Kenya and the whole world. Senna didymobotya is one of such plants used traditionally in Kenya to treat illnesses such as diarrhea, malaria, ringworm, jaundice and intestinal worm. The main aim was to determine the acute toxicity of Senna didymobotya roots. The methanol total and dichloromethane crude root extracts of S. didymobotrya were the most toxic and they killed 80% of mice at a dose of 5000mg/kg body weight with an LD50 of 1927mg/kg after a period of 14days.
Discussing health care costs with patients: an opportunity for empathic communication.

Escalating health care costs are affecting patients across the country. As employers and insurance companies face higher expenses, they may move to a cost-sharing strategy, which potentially increases financial burdens on patients. In this situation, physicians may find themselves serving as both medical and financial advisors for their patients. Clinical encounters in which patients experience financial hardship can be awkward and frustrating for both parties. Physicians must learn to discuss issues of affordability in a manner that builds, rather than detracts, from a therapeutic alliance. This article describes our experiences using several communication skills that can help in the discussion of health care costs with patients. The primary skill, empathic communication, which includes "we" statements and "I wish . " statements, serves to create a platform for shared decision-making, negotiation, and a search for alternatives. In addition, it is helpful if physician offices have resource materials available and strategies identified to assist patients facing financial hardship.
Fuzzy Logic Control of Three Phase Submerged Arc Ferrosilicon Furnace

Research is made into the fuzzy control of electrode regulator systems of submerged electrical arc ferrosilicon furnace EAF. The equations of the electrode currents and furnace resistances are derived based on certain model for the submerged arc ferrosilicon furnace. This model takes into consideration the walls of furnace and the heat losses into external medium in addition to the heat transfer of the system. The main purposes of the modelling are for the simulation and evaluations of different control schemes. In particular, the part of the system associated with the control of the three phase electrode currents, which is done by examining the positioning of the electrodes. The obtained results indicate that the developed simple linear model includes all critical factors needed in the simulation. Different electrode position based control schemes for electrode current control of the furnace is examined. The results of simulation show that fuzzy logic control systems have better dynamic characteristics than PD conventional control systems, and greatly strengthen the capability of restraining disturbances of arc length. Index Terms Arc resistances, Models, Electrodes, Fuzzy control, Industrial process.
Caetetermes taquarussu Fontes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae): description of the imago caste and new distributional records.

Caetetermes Fontes, 1981 is a monotypic South American genus of Nasutitermitinae. Its single species, Caetetermes taquarussu Fontes, 1981, was described based on morphological characters from soldiers and workers collected at three localities in the tropical rainforest of northeastern Ecuador. Several samples of C. taquarussu represented also by the imago caste were examined at the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP) and the National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C., USA (USNM). Herein, we describe the imago caste of Caetetermes for the first time, with notes on soldier and worker caste and new distributional records for the species.
Medindo o precipício semântico

Este artigo descreve a minha participacao na avaliacao conjunta Pagico e detalha a estrategia seguida para a participacao, que usou um sistema de recuperacao de informacao geografica com modulos especializados na interpretacao e reformulacao semântica de consultas. A estrategia seguida revelou-se demasiado complexa para gerar saidas automaticas, e a participacao resumiu-se no envio de tres saidas basicas. O artigo faz um resumo das licoes aprendidas e tece algumas consideracoes sobre trabalho futuro.
Training a classifier for the selection of good query expansion terms with a genetic algorithm

Retrieving precise information from large collections of documents or from the web is an important task in our world. The specification of the information needed is done in form of a sequence of terms or query, which is frequently too short or unspecific to allow selecting a set of relevant documents small enough to be inspected by the user. This problem can be alleviated by expanding the query with other terms that make it more specific. The selection of these possible expansion terms is the problem addressed in this work. We have developed a classifier which has been trained for distinguishing good expansion terms. The identification of good terms to train the classifier has been achieved with a genetic algorithm whose fitness function is based on users' relevance judgements on a set of documents. Results show that the training performed by the genetic algorithm is able to improve the quality of the query expansion results.
Type X collagen in rabbit and human meniscus.

*Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Prote´ines CNRS UPR 412, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07,France;†Institut de Biologie Structurale J. P. Ebel, CEA-CNRS, 41 avenue des Martyrs, 38027 GrenobleCedex 01, France;‡Service de Rhumatologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, 69495 Pierre Be´nite Cedex,France
Sliding mode control for a class of underactuated systems using feedforward normal form: A slosh-container system

This paper deals with the design of stable sliding mode control (SMC) for the underactuated slosh-container system using feedforward normal form. A nonlinear coordinate transformation is used to convert the system into so called feedforward normal like form to decouple the control input appearing in one of the degree of freedom (DOF). This results in the design simplicity for the sliding mode control as well as the equivalent control and reduced order system derivation and its stability analysis. The range of surface parameters to provide the stable sliding motion for the system using proposed scheme, is also large compared to our earlier results. Simulation results are also presented to illustrate the proposed method.
Detection of metabolites by frequency-pulsed electron capture gas-liquid chromatography in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with Nocardia infection

Serum (SR) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a patient suspected of having tuberculous meningitis were submitted to our laboratory for analysis by frequency-pulsed electron capture gas-liquid chromatography (FPEC GLC). The samples were tested for the presence of carboxylic acids, alcohols, hydroxy acids, and amines by methods described previously (C. C. Alley, J. B. Brooks, and D. S. Kellogg, Jr., J. Clin. Microbiol. 9:97-102, 1977; J. B. Brooks, C. C. Alley, and J. A. Liddle, Anal. Chem. 46:1930-1934, 1974; J. B. Brooks, D. S. Kellogg, Jr., M. E. Shepherd, and C. C. Alley, J. Clin. Microbiol. 11:45-51, 1980; J. B. Brooks, D. S. Kellogg, Jr., M. E. Shepherd, and C. C. Alley, J. Clin. Microbiol. 11:52-58, 1980). The results were different from previous FPEC GLC profiles of SR and CSF from patients with known tuberculous meningitis. Both the SR and CSF contained several unidentified compounds that were not previously detected in tuberculous meningitis or any of our other studies of body fluids. Nocardia brasiliensis was later isolated from the patient. Detection of these metabolites by FPEC GLC could prove to be useful for rapid diagnosis of Nocardia disease, and their identification will provide a better understanding of metabolites produced by Nocardia sp. in vivo.
HERITABILITY OF EXPRESSION OF THE 70KD HEAT‐SHOCK PROTEIN IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER AND ITS RELEVANCE TO THE EVOLUTION OF THERMOTOLERANCE

The principle inducible heat‐shock protein of Drosophila melanogaster, Hsp70, contributes to thermotolerance throughout the entire life cycle of the species but may also reduce fitness in some life stages. In principle, selection might maximize the benefits of Hsp70 expression relative to its costs by adjusting the magnitude of Hsp70 expression for each life‐cycle stage independently. Therefore we examined whether the magnitude of Hsp70 expression varied during the life cycle and the relationship of this variation to several life‐history traits. For 28 isofemale lines derived from a single natural population, estimates of heritable variation in Hsp70 expression ranged between 0.25 and 0.49, and the association among variation in first‐ and third‐instar larvae and in adults correlated highly. Thus, Hsp70 expression is genetically coupled at these developmental stages. A line engineered with extra copies of the hsp70 gene produced more Hsp70 and survived heat shock much better than did a control strain. Among natural lines, Hsp70 expression was only weakly related to tolerance of heat shock and to larva‐to‐adult survival and developmental time at permissive temperatures. Additionally, lines with high adult survival developed slowly as larvae, which is a possible trade‐off. These and other findings suggest that trade‐offs may maintain quantitative variation both in heat‐shock protein expression and in life‐history traits that associate with thermotolerance.
3D Servicescape Model: Atmospheric Qualities of Virtual Reality Retailing

The purpose of this paper is to provide a 3D servicescape conceptual model which explores the potential effect of 3D virtual reality retail stores' environment on shoppers' behaviour. Extensive review of literature within two different domains, namely: servicescape models, and retail atmospherics, was carried out in order to propose a conceptual model. Further, eight detailed interviews were conducted to confirm the stimulus dimension of the conceptual model. A 3D servicescape conceptual model is offered on the basis of stimulus-organism-dimension, which proposes that a 3D virtual reality retail (VRR) store environment consists of physical, social, socially symbolic and natural dimensions. These dimensions are proposed to affect shoppers' behaviour through the mediating variables of emotions (pleasure and arousal). An interrelationship between pleasure and arousal, as mediating variables, is also proposed. This research opens a number of new avenues for further research through the proposed model of shoppers' behaviour in a VRR store environment. Further, a systematic taxonomy development of VRR store environment is attempted through this proposed model that may prove to be an important step in theory building. A comprehensive 3D service scape model along with a large number of propositions is made to define a 3D VRR store environment.
Growth Phase-Regulated Induction ofSalmonella-Induced Macrophage Apoptosis Correlates with Transient Expression of SPI-1 Genes

ABSTRACT Invasive Salmonella has been reported to induce apoptosis in a fraction of infected macrophages within 2 to 14 h from the time of infection by a mechanism involving the type III secretion machinery encoded by the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). Here, we show that bacteria in the transition from logarithmic to stationary phase cause 90% of the macrophages to undergo phagocytosis-independent, caspase-mediated apoptosis within 30 to 60 min of infection. The ability of Salmonella to induce this rapid apoptosis was growth phase regulated and cell type restricted, with epithelial cells being resistant. Apoptosis induction was also abrogated by disruption of the hilA gene (encoding a regulator of SPI-1 genes) and by the expression of a constitutively active PhoPQ. hilA itself and a subset of SPI-1 genes were transiently expressed during aerobic growth in liquid medium. Interestingly, however, hilA was found to be required only for the expression of the prgH gene, whilesipB, invA, and invF were expressed in a hilA-independent manner. The expression of SPI-1 genes and the secretion of invasion-associated proteins correlated temporally with the induction of apoptosis and are likely to represent its molecular basis. Thus, growth phase transition regulates the expression and secretion of virulence determinants and represents the most efficient environmental cue for apoptosis induction reported to date.
A genetic variant in the SKIV2L gene is significantly associated with age-related macular degeneration in a Han Chinese population.

PURPOSE Previous studies have shown that genetic variants in the complement component 2 (C2)/complement factor B (BF) gene are associated with AMD in Caucasians, but not in Han Chinese. Recent studies have indicated that genetic variants in the neighboring superkiller viralicidic activity 2-like (SKIV2L) gene showed significant association with AMD. We conducted this study to investigate whether genetic variants in the SKIV2L gene are associated with AMD in a Han Chinese population. METHODS Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the C2-BF-RDBP-SKIV2L-STK19 region were genotyped by the SNaPshot method in a cohort composed of 449 patients with choriodal neovascularization (CNV) AMD and 1025 healthy controls of Han Chinese descent. RESULTS Among the SNPs genotyped, P values of seven SNPs were less than 0.05; however, only rs429608 was found to be significantly associated with AMD after correction for multiple testing. The minor allele (A) frequency of rs429608 was 0.050 in cases and 0.089 in controls, and the P value was 3.76 × 10(-4) (0.00489 after Bonferroni correction), with an odds ratio of 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.77). The SKIV2L gene was expressed in the human RPE, retina, and D407 (human RPE) cells, and in mouse retinas and RPE. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that the rs429608 genetic variant in the SKIV2L gene was significantly associated with AMD in a Han Chinese population. SKIV2L may play an important role in the development of AMD.