Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multilevel cervical disc replacement versus multilevel anterior discectomy and fusion

Background: Cervical disc replacement (CDR) has been developed as an alternative surgical procedure to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of single-level cervical degenerative disc disease. However, patients with multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (MCDDD) are common in our clinic. Multilevel CDR is less established compared with multilevel ACDF. This study aims to compare the outcomes and evaluate safety and efficacy of CDR versus ACDF for the treatment of MCDDD. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed for articles published up until August 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective comparative studies associated with the use of CDR versus ACDF for the treatment of MCDDD were included in the current study. Two reviewers independently screened the articles and data following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. Results: Seven studies with 702 enrolled patients suffering from MCDDD were retrieved. Patients who underwent CDR had similar operative times, blood loss, Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores compared to patients who underwent ACDF. Patients who underwent CDR had greater overall motion of the cervical spine and the operated levels than patients who underwent ACDF. Patients who underwent CDR also had lower rates of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). The rate of adverse events was significantly lower in the CDR group. Conclusion: CDR may be a safe and effective surgical strategy for the treatment of MCDDD. However, there is insufficient evidence to draw a strong conclusion due to relatively low-quality evidence. Future long-term, multicenter, randomized, and controlled studies are needed to validate the safety and efficacy of multilevel CDR.
Influence of microphysical cloud parameterizations on microwave brightness temperatures

The microphysical parameterization of clouds and rain cells plays a central role in atmospheric forward radiative transfer models used in calculating microwave brightness temperatures. The absorption and scattering properties of a hydrometeor-laden atmosphere are governed by particle phase, size distribution, aggregate density, shape, and dielectric constant. This study investigates the sensitivity of brightness temperatures with respect to the microphysical cloud parameterization. Calculated wideband (6-410 GHz) brightness temperatures were studied for four evolutionary stages of an oceanic convective storm using a rive-phase hydrometeor model in a planar-stratified scattering-based radiative transfer model. Five other microphysical cloud parameterizations were compared to the baseline calculations to evaluate brightness temperature sensitivity to gross changes in the hydrometeor size distributions and the ice-air-water ratios in the frozen or partly frozen phase. The comparison shows that enlarging the raindrop size or adding water to the partly frozen hydrometeor mix warms brightness temperatures by as much as 55 K at 6 GHz. The cooling signature caused by ice scattering intensifies with increasing ice concentrations and at higher frequencies. An additional comparison to measured Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) brightness temperatures shows that in general all but two parameterizations produce calculated T/sub B/s that fall within the CAMEX-3 observed minima and maxima.
Glycogen Determination in Bovine Muscle: A Proposal for Rapid Determination

A practical, rapid and inexpensive method for muscle glucose determination is proposed. The method is based on acid digestion of the sample, followed by neutralization of the solution and the subsequent glucose determination using a domestic glucometer for human blood glucose level control. In a pre-experimental phase, the accuracy of this methodology and the titration method was determined, comparing results to pre-established glucose concentrations.
Longitudinal lung function study in heterozygous PiMZ phenotype subjects.

It is a matter of controversy whether subjects who are heterozygous (PiMZ) for alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are at risk of developing pulmonary emphysema. To assess the role of MZ phenotype in the development of abnormal lung function the authors performed a 10 year follow-up study of 28 PiMZ subjects, compared to 28 matched-paired normal PiMM subjects. Maximal expiratory flows and mechanical properties of the lungs were studied, in order to determine the changes of the lung function parameters characteristic of pulmonary emphysema. Total lung capacity and residual volume increased, whereas forced expiratory volume in one second, expiratory flows, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide, and static transpulmonary pressures decreased in the PiMZ patients. The majority of the controlled functional parameters were found to deteriorate significantly in PiMZ patients during the 10 year period. Trypsin inhibitory capacity in the PiMZ group (mean +/- SD) was 0.65 +/- 0.17 mg.ml-1 as compared to 1.52 +/- 0.3 mg.ml-1 in the PiMM group. These changes exceeded the values expected as physiological changes due to ageing. The findings in the present longitudinal study--especially the decrease in elasticity, which is the primary pathophysiological damage in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency--support the concept that the PiMZ phenotype is a risk factor for the development of pulmonary emphysema at younger age than in those without the deficiency.
Differential transcription of ribosomal cistrons denoting nucleolar dominance in hybrids of Drosophila mulleri and Drosophila navojoa (mulleri complex, Repleta group)

The fruit flies Drosophila mulleri and Drosophila navojoa are included in the mulleri complex of the mulleri subgroup and Repleta group. Although there is no demonstration that interspecific crosses between them occur in nature, they intercross in the laboratory in both cross directions. Previous data have shown the occurrence of nucleolar dominance in interspecific hybrids of some species in the mulleri complex. We investigated nucleolar dominance in D. mulleri/D. navojoa hybrids using the transcription profiles of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) region. The results showed that the ribosomal cistrons present in the X chromosome and in the microchromosome of D. navojoa are exclusively or preferentially transcribed in these hybrids depending on the cross direction, denoting the complete or partial nucleolar dominance of this species over D. mulleri.
Miniaturized coplanar waveguide stop band filters based on multiple tuned split ring resonators

A novel compact stop band filter consisting of a 50 /spl Omega/ coplanar waveguide (CPW) with split ring resonators (SRRs) etched in the back side of the substrate is presented. By aligning SRRs with the slots, a high inductive coupling between line and rings is achieved, with the result of a sharp and narrow rejection band in the vicinity of the resonant frequency of the rings. In order to widen the stop band of the filter, several ring pairs tuned at equally spaced frequencies within the desired gap are cascaded. The frequency response measured in the fabricated prototype device exhibits pronounced slopes at either side of the stop band and near 0 dBs insertion loss outside that band. Since SRR dimensions are much smaller than signal wavelength, the proposed filters are extremely compact and can be used to reject frequency parasitics in CPW structures by simply patterning properly tuned SRRs in the back side metal. Additional advantages are easy fabrication and compatibility with MMIC or PCB technology.
Leptoplax doederleini (Polyplacophora:Acanthochitonidae) from South Korea

Acanthochitonidae Pilsbry, 1893 is one of the chiton families characterized by 9 pairs of sutural tufts on a wellexpanded girdle that overgrows plates. It is found in intertidal and subtidal zones worldwide. Of its eight genera, only two have been previously reported in South Korea: Acanthochitona Gray, 1821 and Notoplax H. Adams, 1862. Here we report Leptoplax doederleini (Thiele, 1909) as the first record of the genus Leptoplax in South Korea and describe and compare its morphological features with N. kaasi Hong, Dell’Angelo and Van Belle, 1990. In addition, we provide the partial sequence of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene as a DNA barcode sequence record.
Design of non-uniform 100-V super-junction trench power MOSFET with low on-resistance

The specific on-resistance of non-uniform super-junction (SJ) trench metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (TMOSFET) is superior to that of uniform SJ TMOSFET under the same breakdown voltage. For the desired blocking voltage with 100-V, the electric field varies exponentially with distance between the drain and the source regions. The idea with a linearly graded doping profile is proposed to achieve a much better electric field distribution in the drift region. The doping concentration linearly decreases in the vertical direction from the N drift region at the bottom to the channel one at the upper. The structure modeling and the characteristic analyses for doping density, potential distribution, and electric field are simulated by using of the SILVACO TCAD 2D device simulator, Atlas. As a result, the specific on-resistance of 0.66 mΩ · cm2 at the class of 100 V and 100 A is successfully optimized in the non-uniform SJ TMOSFET, which has the better performance than the uniform SJ TMOSFET in the specific on-resistance.
Comparison of the microbial population dynamics and phylogenetic characterization of a CANOXIS reactor and a UASB reactor degrading trichloroethene

Aims: To understand the microbial ecology underlying trichloethene (TCE) degradation in a coupled anaerobic/aerobic single stage (CANOXIS) reactor oxygenated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and in an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor.
Overview of RF generation using nonlinear transmission lines

Nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) provides an ingenuous way of generating RF without using vacuum electron tubes. For high peak power, (MW) and frequency up to several hundreds of MHz dielectric or ferrite-segmented lines (a synchronous wave NLTL) have been used. Other configuration implemented with better frequency results (from 400 MHz up to 4 GHz in C-band) is a continuous ferrite loaded coaxial line with external magnetic bias known as gyromagnetic NLTL. In short, this paper will give an overview of the state of art of these configurations used so far with great success, discussing their main advantage and limitations as well as the trends for their future applications.
The relation of non-invasively and invasively assessed aortic pulsatile indices to the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

Abstract Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between non-invasively (NIA) and invasively assessed (IA) aortic pulsatile indices and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects and Methods. The study group consisted of 58 patients who were admitted to our institute for elective coronary angiography (CAG). We measured the aortic systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure (BP) using non-invasive and invasive techniques. We assessed the pulsatile indices of the aortic pressure waveform (APW) including pulse pressure (PP), fractional PP (FPP, the ratio of PP to mean BP) and pulsatility index (PI, the ratio of PP to diastolic BP). The severity of CAD was assessed by Gensini score. Results. IA aortic PP, FPP and PI were significantly higher in patients with CAD than without CAD, but NIA indices did not show significant differences between two groups. After multivariate stepwise adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) of having significant CAD was: PP per 10 mmHg, OR = 2.51 (95% CI 1.12–5.63); FPP per 0.1, OR = 3.30 (95% CI 1.25–8.72); and PI per 0.1, OR = 1.88 (95% CI 1.09–3.23). In linear regression analysis, IA aortic systolic BP (SBP), PP, FPP and PI were significantly correlated with Gensini score, but NIA indices were not correlated. The NIA aortic PP was lower than IA aortic PP (mean difference: 6.1 ± 15.8 mmHg). Conclusion. IA aortic PP, FPP and PI were related to the presence and severity of CAD, but NIA assessed indices of APW were not related. NIA aortic PP underestimated IA aortic PP.
The cloning and characterization of the bacteriophage D108 regulatory DNA‐binding protein ner.

From the transposable Mu‐like bacteriophage D108 we have cloned the ner gene under the control of the lac UV5 promoter in the expression vector pOP95‐15. The recombinant plasmid, pPT011, overproduced the 8‐kd D108 ner protein (visualized by in vitro‐coupled transcription‐translation) and served as a substrate for DNA sequencing of the D108 ner gene. The ner protein of D108 was found to be 48% homologous to the Mu ner protein, though the DNA sequences that encode these proteins are quite divergent. We used the retardation of migration of 32P‐labelled DNA restriction fragments by ner‐containing crude protein extracts in polyacrylamide gels (band competition assay) to determine which DNA restriction fragment(s) contained the ner‐binding sites. DNA footprinting using crude extracts physically identified the 47‐bp DNA sequence that the ner protein was interacting with in the D108 early gene regulatory region. This sequence is located 10 bp downstream from the presumed D108 early gene transcription initiation site. Therefore, by binding strongly to this 47‐bp DNA sequence, the D108 ner protein can regulate D108 early gene transcription.
A Fully Integrated CMOS 800-mW Four-Phase Semiconstant ON/OFF-Time Step-Down Converter

A fully integrated dc-dc four-phase step-down converter in a 130-nm 1.2-V CMOS technology is realized with integrated metal-track inductors and integrated MOS and MIM capacitors. The converter requires no external components and is designed to generate an output voltage of 1.2 V out of a 2.6 V supply voltage. The maximum power-conversion efficiency is 58%, for a voltage-conversion ratio of 0.46. This yields a 21% improvement over a linear converter. The maximum output power is 800 mW and the power density of 213 mW/mm2 is in the same order of magnitude of nonintegrated switching converters, even when not taking their off-chip output filter into account. Stacked transistors are used to cope with the high voltage. A novel control system based on semiconstant ON/OFF time (SCOOT) regulates the output voltage. It also provides stability over the entire load range from 0 to 800 mW. The four-phase topology and the SCOOT control system ensure an output voltage ripple below 10% of the output voltage. The converter operates in discontinuous, synchronous switching mode. The switching frequency varies with the load from 75 kHz to 225 MHz.
A critical assessment of uncalibrated respiratory inductance plethysmography (Respitrace®) for the measurement of tidal breathing parameters in newborns and infants

We have compared results obtained with an uncalibrated respiratory inductance plethysmograph (RIP) with those of a face mask and pneumotachograph (PNT) for the computerized measurement of the time to reach peak tidal expiratory flow as a ratio of total expiratory time (tpTEF:tE). Simultaneous measurements were made in 32 healthy neonates aged 0–3 weeks, 35 healthy infants aged 5–82 weeks, and 28 infants aged 15–94 weeks with physician diagnosed recurrent wheeze. The group mean (±SD) values of tpTEF:tE determined using a PNT were 0.455 (±0.129), 0.263 (±0.077), and 0.232 (±0.089) for the neonates, healthy infants and infants with recurrent wheeze respectively. RIP gave mean (±SD) values that were 0.055 (±0.044) and 0.025 (±0.104) lower than the PNT in healthy neonates and infants with recurrent wheeze respectively; RIP values were 0.002 (±0.073) higher in the healthy infants over 4 weeks of age than measurements by PNT. Although the difference between the two measurements was not related to the thoracoabdominal phase angle, as measured from Lissajous figures, examination of the RIP ribcage and abdominal signals revealed that many healthy subjects, while appearing clinically in phase, had ribcage and abdominal signals that differed markedly from each other in terms of convexity/concavity during early expiration. This may explain the lack of agreement between the two methods. We conclude that uncalibrated RIP should be used with caution for the determination of tpTEF:tE, even in subjects whose ribcage and abdomen appear to move synchronously. The measurement of tpTEF:tE did not differentiate between the healthy infants and infants with recurrent wheezing. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1995; 20:119–124. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic evaluation of a reintroduced population of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes)

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) went extinct in the wild when the last 18 known ferrets were captured for a captive-breeding program. Following the success of the captive-breeding program, 146 genetically nonessential ferrets were released at the Conata Basin, South Dakota, from 1996 to 1999. We conducted a genetic analysis of the Conata Basin black-footed ferret population from 2001 to 2003 to determine if genetic variation had been lost since the cessation of reintroductions and if demographic- and genetic-based estimates of effective population size (Ne) accurately predicted observed levels of heterozygosity. We used DNA from wild-born kits (n = 254) in the Conata Basin population (2001–2003) to calculate current genetic diversity levels. Both allelic diversity (A = 2, both subpopulations) and mean heterozygosity were low for both subpopulations—0.39 ± 0.12 SE in Agate-Sage Creek and 0.39 ± 0.16 SE in Heck Table—but not significantly different from estimates made in 1999. We found no significant difference between observed and expected heterozygosity levels. Demographic-based estimates of Ne were an order of magnitude higher than genetic-based estimates of Ne, but the 2 estimates provide a range of Ne values for the population. This study shows that the Conata Basin ferret population is able to maintain its genetic diversity over time despite its population history.
Effects of Surface Treatment and Interfacial Strength on the Damage Propagation in Layered Transparent Armor under Impact

Abstract : This research program is to develop a fundamental understanding of the damage propagation through layered transparent armors under impact loading conditions. The effects of surface quality and interfacial bonding strength on the damage propagation or arrest will also be examined. During the funded period of the program, a gas gun has been developed and used to impact layered glass targets. Notched glass specimens having adhesive interfaces are impacted with plastic projectiles. It is found that, an impact-induced crack arrests at an interface perpendocular to the crack path if the interface is not bonded. When the interface is bonded tightly, the crack passes through the interface in its propagation without being affected by the interface. When the bonded interface has a finite thickness, the crack slows down at the interface and then branches to many cracks that form a fan shape. Besides the crack experiments, the effects of surface quality on bending strength of glass are also investigated.
An 8T Differential SRAM With Improved Noise Margin for Bit-Interleaving in 65 nm CMOS

Lowering power consumption and increasing noise margin have become two central topics in every state of the art SRAM design. Due to parameter fluctuations in scaled technologies, stable operation is critical to obtain high yield low-voltage, low-power SRAM. Recent published works in literature have shown that the conventional 6T SRAM suffers a severe stability degradation due to access disturbances at low-power mode. Thus, several 8T and 10T cell designs have been reported, improving the cell stability. However, they either employ single-ended read port or require too large area. In this paper, we use a fully differential 8T SRAM that allows efficient bit-interleaving to achieve soft-error tolerance with conventional Error Correcting Code (ECC). It also consumes less power when compared to the conventional 6T design. A column-based dynamic supply voltage scheme is utilized to improve both the read noise margin and the write-ability. To verify the technique, a 128 × 64-bit of the proposed SRAM has been implemented in a standard 65 nm/1 V CMOS process. Simulation results reaffirmed that the proposed design has 2× higher noise margin and consumes 54% less power when compared to the conventional 6T design.
Development Of Automatic Text Summarizer For PDF Files

FOATS is an automatic text summarizer developed to summarize text in Portable Document Format (PDF) files. As information continues to grow in digital system, many people rely so much on information saved in these formats. This system provides an opportunity to prevent wasting of time and energy in reading irrelevant materials. It can be used to determine the major decision of a text, which will guide the reader through what to read and to know whether the material is relevant or not. However, the method used in this system is divided into three major phases which include Upload sheet, Preprocessor and Summarizer. Sentence interception is used by the summarizer to generate the summary of the text. This method performs its function by determining how related sentence in each paragraph is. The system finds their intercept and uses the most important sentences as the summary of the text. FOATS was tested using five (5) different documents and a computational result was reported for the various experiments. The system performance is extremely efficient by generating the summary produced into sequence of paragraphs while retaining the major points of the text. The system is said to be 90% efficient. Keywords—Text Summarizer; PDF Files; Upload Sheet; Sentence Interception; PreProcessor
An automated method for analysis of gait data to aid clinical interpretation

Gait analysis is often defined as the study of human walking; typically involving computerised and instrumented measurement of the movement patterns that make up walking. It is gaining acceptance as a clinical tool for the investigation of complex gait disorders to inform treatment plans. However, although the raw results can be printed in minutes, the clinical team may spend many hours in interpreting the data. For this reason, the focus in this project is in developing a technique for the analysis of gait data to aid clinical interpretation. A software package will be developed based on automating the Rancho Observational Gait Analysis approach. An automated method will be used to denote gait deviations. Causes related to deviations will be listed and the results of additional tests that may help prove or refute any cause will also be included. A report will then be generated that includes all the above. The software will be tested with data from a group of patients to check its efficiency.