Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hardware/Software Co-Simulation

Hardware-software co-simulation refers to verifying that hardware and software function correctly together. This has traditionally been a task performed after the prototype hardware is available using in-circuit emulators and other techniques. With hardware-software co-design and embedded processors within large single ICs, it is more necessary to verify correct functionality before the hardware is built. This paper surveys the techniques available for co-simulation with an eye toward the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Effect of dilute CHO beverages on performance in cool and warm environments.

PURPOSE The efficacy of drinks containing low concentrations of CHO (2%-6%) on physical performance in cool and warm environments was evaluated. METHODS In two separate but related studies, 24 healthy males completed a familiarization trial and four trials to volitional exhaustion (TTE) at 70% VO2max in cool conditions (10°C, n = 12) or 60% VO2max in a warm environment (30°C, n = 12). Subjects ingested 0%, 2%, 4%, or 6% CHO solutions (sucrose, glucose, and fructose in a ratio of 50:25:25) immediately before exercise and every 10 min during exercise. RESULTS TTE in 10°C was 102.6 ± 33.9, 109.2 ± 33.9, 121.0 ± 25.7, and 122.4 ± 29.9 min in the 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% trials, respectively (P = 0.012). Compared with the 0% trial, TTE was longer in the 4% (P = 0.032, effect size (ES) = 0.72) and 6% (P = 0.044, ES = 0.66) trials. In addition, TTE was longer in the 6% trial than in the 2% trial (P = 0.025). TTE was also significantly influenced by drink CHO content at 30°C (0% = 94.5 ± 24.5 min, 2% = 104.1 ± 20.1 min, 4% = 105.5 ± 26.7 min, 6% = 112.0 ± 28.7 min; P = 0.046). No differences in TTE were apparent between the 0% and the 2% or 4% trials, but TTE was longer in the 6% trial compared with the placebo (P = 0.045, ES = 0.62). HR, core temperature, or rates of substrate oxidation were not affected by drink CHO content. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate significant improvements in exercise capacity over the placebo trial when 4% and 6% CHO solutions were ingested at 10°C and a 6% CHO drink was ingested at 30°C.
Study of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract Effects on Serum Level of Estrogen, Progesterone and Prolactin in Mouse

Objective: The Foeniculum vulgare (FVE) or fennel has a long history of use as both a food and medicine. The seed of this plant has been used to promote menstruation, alleviate the symptoms of female climacteric, and increase the number of ovarian follicles. The aim of this study is to evaluate the fennel extract effects on serum level of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin in female mice. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 virgin female albino mice were divided into four groups (n = 7). Groups 1 and 2 (experimental groups) were administered FVE at 100 and at a concentration of 100 and 200 mg/kg for 5 days, intraperitoneally. Group 3 (negative control) received ethanol and Group 4 (positive control) received normal saline. Animals were scarified at 6 th day, sera were collected and the level of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin hormones was analyzed using Elisa Kit. Results: Data analysis revealed that there is a significant difference in the mean level of serum estrogen, progesterone and prolactin between four different groups. P value in experimental groups compared with the control groups was (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Fennel extract can increase the serum level of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin in female mice; it can be introduced as a novel medicine for treatment of infertility.
“Meds are a Real Tricky Area”

Medication management is among the most commonly cited reasons for moving to assisted living and is closely associated with resident quality of care and life. Yet the issue has received little research attention. Using data from the statewide study, “Job Satisfaction and Retention of Direct Care Staff in Assisted Living,” this article examines medication management policies and practices across 45 facilities in Georgia. Guided by principles of Grounded Theory Method, we analyzed qualitative data from surveys with 370 direct care workers (DCWs) and in-depth interviews with 41 DCWs and 44 administrators. Our analysis showed that medication managers vary widely in their backgrounds, positions, and training, largely based on home size and resources. Despite identifying common dimensions of the medication management process, we found variation in procedures and regulatory compliance based on facility, staff, and resident factors. Our findings relate to and extend existing work and have practice and research implications.
Natural language processing technologies for developing a language learning environment

So far, Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) comes in many different flavors. Our research work focuses on developing an integrated e-learning environment that allows improving language skills in specific contexts. Integrated e-learning environment means that it is a Web-based solution that performs language learning tasks using common working environments like, for instance, Web browsers or Email clients. It should be accessible on different platforms, even on mobile devices. Natural Language Processing (NLP) forms the technological basis for developing such a learning framework. The paper gives an overview of the state-of-the-art in this area. Therefore, on the one hand, it explains creation processes for NLP resources and gives an overview of corpora. On the other hand, it describes existing NLP standards. Based on our requirements, the paper gives special attention to the evaluation and comparison of toolkits that can suitably support the planned implementation. An outlook at the end points out necessary developments in e-learning to keep in mind.
A study on 25-OH cholecalciferol levels in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder

Background Low vitamin D levels are associated with schizophrenia, depression, and seasonal affective disorder in adults. The relationship between vitamin D and depression in pediatric population is little investigated. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to determine the association between depression severity and serum levels of 25-OH cholecalciferol in children and adolescents. Patients and methods A total of 82 depressed children and adolescents and 21 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All participants were subjected to sociodemographic variables, medical and psychiatric examination, psychometric evaluation by the semistructured clinical interview and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, routine laboratory investigations, and serum 25-OH cholecalciferol levels measurement. Results There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to age, sex distribution, BMI, family income, and residency. Children of joint paternal family type and with positive psychiatric family history have statistically significant increase in the severity of depression compared with those of other family types and with negative psychiatric family history. Vitamin D levels and severity of depression were inversely correlated; the more severe the depression was, the lower was the level of vitamin D. Conclusion 25-OH cholecalciferol deficiency is more prevalent in depressed children and adolescent patients than in normal children. Vitamin D supplementation in depressed children might be further investigated in the future.
Raman Spectroscopy as a Potential Tool for Early Diagnosis of Malignancies in Esophageal and Bladder Tissues

This chapter outlines the use of Raman spectroscopy for discrimination of pathologies in the bladder and esophagus based upon the biochemical signature accompanying the disease process. This has great strength in that objective molecular-specific analysis becomes possible for diagnosis and understanding of carcinogenesis processes. The importance of the gold-standard histopathology, sample handling procedures and spectrometer standardization are outlined. Methods of sampling in vivo and in vitro are discussed and discrimination methodologies are demonstrated. Finally exploitation of the inherent biochemical signature found within the tissues is explored and an attempt is made to provide relative concentrations of significant biochemical components. Keywords: esophagus; bladder; Raman; biochemistry; standardization; histopathology; discrimination; cancer; dysplasia
Epidemiology of knee injuries among U.S. high school athletes, 2005/2006-2010/2011.

PURPOSE U.S. high school athletes sustain millions of injuries annually. Detailed patterns of knee injuries, among the most costly sports injuries, remain largely unknown. We hypothesize that patterns of knee injuries in U.S. high school sports differ by sport and sex. METHODS U.S. high school sports-related injury data were collected for 20 sports using the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance System, High School RIO™. Knee injury rates, rate ratios (RR), and injury proportion ratios were calculated. RESULTS From 2005/2006 to 2010/2011, 5116 knee injuries occurred during 17,172,376 athlete exposures (AE) for an overall rate of 2.98 knee injuries per 10,000 AE. Knee injuries were more common in competition than in practice (rate ratio = 3.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.34-3.73). Football had the highest knee injury rate (6.29 per 10,000 AE) followed by girls' soccer (4.53) and girls' gymnastics (4.23). Girls had significantly higher knee injury rates than boys in sex-comparable sports (soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball/softball, lacrosse, swimming and diving, and track and field; RR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.39-1.65). The most commonly involved structure was the medial collateral ligament (reported in 36.1% of knee injuries), followed by the patella/patellar tendon (29.5%), anterior cruciate ligament (25.4%), meniscus (23.0%), lateral collateral ligament (7.9%), and posterior cruciate ligament (2.4%). Girls were significantly more likely to sustain anterior cruciate ligament injuries in sex-comparable sports (RR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.91-2.95). Overall, 21.2% of knee injuries were treated with surgery; girls were more often treated with surgery than boys in sex-comparable sports (injury proportion ratio = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.11-1.53). CONCLUSIONS Knee injury patterns differ by sport and sex. Continuing efforts to develop preventive interventions could reduce the burden of these injuries.
Adaptations of mouse skeletal muscle to low-intensity vibration training.

PURPOSE We tested the hypothesis that low-intensity vibration training in mice improves contractile function of hindlimb skeletal muscles and promotes exercise-related cellular adaptations. METHODS We subjected C57BL/6J mice to 6 wk, 5 d·wk, 15 min·d of sham or low-intensity vibration (45 Hz, 1.0g) while housed in traditional cages (Sham-Active, n = 8; Vibrated-Active, n = 10) or in small cages to restrict physical activity (Sham-Restricted, n = 8; Vibrated-Restricted, n = 8). Contractile function and resistance to fatigue were tested in vivo (anterior and posterior crural muscles) and ex vivo on the soleus muscle. Tibialis anterior and soleus muscles were evaluated histologically for alterations in oxidative metabolism, capillarity, and fiber types. Epididymal fat pad and hindlimb muscle masses were measured. Two-way ANOVAs were used to determine the effects of vibration and physical inactivity. RESULTS Vibration training resulted in a 10% increase in maximal isometric torque (P = 0.038) and 16% faster maximal rate of relaxation (P = 0.030) of the anterior crural muscles. Posterior crural muscles were unaffected by vibration, except greater rates of contraction in Vibrated-Restricted mice compared with Vibrated-Active and Sham-Restricted mice (P = 0.022). Soleus muscle maximal isometric tetanic force tended to be greater (P = 0.057), and maximal relaxation was 20% faster (P = 0.005) in vibrated compared with sham mice. The restriction of physical activity induced muscle weakness but was not required for vibration to be effective in improving strength or relaxation. Vibration training did not affect muscle fatigability or any indicator of cellular adaptation investigated (P ≥ 0.431). Fat pad but not hindlimb muscle masses were affected by vibration training. CONCLUSION Vibration training in mice improved muscle contractility, specifically strength and relaxation rates, with no indication of adverse effects to muscle function or cellular adaptations.
Intervention studies in the health care work environment : Lessons learned

The old controversy between qualitative and quantitative approaches to the study of workplace stressors and workers ́ health may be bypassed by looking at them as complementary to each other. Especially, intervention research would profit from the integrated use of both approaches when it comes to validity and reliability of the data. This applies to assessment of both the work and health related problems as well as the effects of the intervention. Also quite practical issues must be considered, such as the question of status for the two approaches within the research group, the possibility to integrate the two methods, not only conduct them in separate and parallel processes, and the sequencing of the approaches. Five different methods of integration are proposed: 1) a qualitative approach as a foundation for the design of a quantitative study, 2) qualitative studies to gain deeper insight and better analyses of the results from a quantitative study, 3) quantitative research to study frequencies and distributions of phenomena discovered by qualitative approaches, 4) parallel and integrated use of qualitative and quantitative approaches, and 5) quantifying qualitative data.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation for bile duct stones: A prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation may be an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy in the treatment of bile duct stones. However, there is a controversy as to the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation. METHODS Two hundred eighty-two patients with bile duct stones were enrolled and randomized to an endoscopic sphincterotomy or endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation group. The success rate for duct clearance as well as the frequency and types of complications were evaluated prospectively. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in a standard manner. Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation was carried out with gradual inflation of a 4-, 6-, or 8-mm diameter balloon. RESULTS Complete duct clearance was achieved in 100% in the endoscopic sphincterotomy group and 99.3% in the endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation group (not significant). Complications occurred in 11.8% of patients in the endoscopic sphincterotomy group and 14.5% of those in the endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation group (not significant). No complication was severe; there was no mortality. The frequency of acute pancreatitis was higher in the endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation group than the endoscopic sphincterotomy group (respectively, 10.9% vs. 2.8%; p < 0.045). Hemorrhage occurred only in the endoscopic sphincterotomy group. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation were approximately equal in terms of successful clearance of bile duct stones. They were also similar with respect to overall complications. Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation is an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy as a treatment of bile duct stones.
Communication technology for human-dog interaction: exploration of dog owners' experiences and expectations

Whereas communication technology to connect people has long been an integral part of our everyday lives, it has only recently expanded to offer applications for dogs and dog-owners. In this paper, we present two explorative studies to understand the experiences and expectations of dog owners for communication technology to support their interaction with dogs. These studies look at two different user groups, hunters and pet owners, charting the lessons learnt from the current technology and exploring the aspects that should be taken into account when designing future applications and services. Our findings reveal that usability problems are still the dominant issue with current applications. We also suggest key design implications which can be utilized in the development of future human-dog interaction systems.
An efficient image classifier using discrete cosine transform

In recent years, thousands of images are generated everyday, which implies the necessity to classify, organize and access them by easy and faster way. The need for image classification is becoming increasingly important. Classifying the images into semantic categories is a challenging problem. Although this is usually not a very difficult task for humans, it has been proved to be an extremely difficult problem for computer programs. This paper presents the idea of using Discrete Cosine Transform to generate the feature vector for Image Classification. The various sizes of feature vectors are generated such as 8X8, 16X16, 32X32, 64X64 and 128X128. The proposed algorithm is worked over database of 1000 images spread over 10 different classes. The Euclidean distance is used as similarity measure. A threshold value is set to determine to which category the query image belongs to.
Epidemiology of drug abuse treatment in South Africa

Background. The aim of the study was to explore the epidemiology of drug abuse treatment in South Africa. Methods. Treatment demand statistics were analysed from South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use records, and a rapid situation assessment was conducted. Twenty-one key informant interviews were conducted in all 9 provinces among provincial substance abuse co-ordinators, and one manager per treatment centre from a sample of treatment centres. Three focus groups were conducted and 46 self-administered questionnaires were distributed among inpatients at 2 selected treatment centres in Free State and North West provinces. Qualitative data were analysed using grounded theory, and quantitative data analysed using SPSS. Results. Treatment records show that the most frequent substance of abuse was alcohol (51%), followed by cannabis (21%), crack/cocaine (9.6%), heroin/opiates (7.9%), methamphetamine (Tik) (4.5%), prescription/over-the-counter drugs (2.0%), and cannabis/mandrax (1.7%). More substance abusers were male, of lower education, white or black, than were female, more highly educated, coloured and Indian/Asian. Key informant interviews showed that females are the ‘hidden’ substance abusers and tend not to be identified in research statistics and at treatment centres. Poverty, unemployment, lack of recreational facilities, being surrounded by substance abusers, and long work shifts were also mentioned as factors contributing to substance abuse. The age of initiation of substance abuse using non-drugs such as glue was 9 years old, alcohol 10 - 12 years old, dagga 11 - 12 years old, poly-drug use (alcohol, tobacco and dagga) 14 years old, and harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin at 16 - 17 years old, as reported by key informants. Family care and support, improved socio-economic conditions and increased law enforcement would help to discourage substance abuse. Conclusion. Prevention interventions and policies in South Africa should focus on reducing substance abuse by targeting the ‘at risk populations’ identified in this study.
Novel Indication for Chimney Graft Placement in the Inferior Mesenteric Artery in AAA Patients with Coexistent Bilateral Internal Iliac Artery Occlusion

Purpose: To report a novel indication for the use of chimney grafts to preserve flow to the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for aortobi-iliac aneurysms with coexistent bilateral occlusion of the internal iliac arteries (IIA). Technique: Via a cutdown over the left axillary artery, a 5-F vertebral catheter was delivered over a conventional 0.035-inch hydrophilic guidewire to selectively catheterize the IMA via a 7-F shuttle sheath, which was then advanced at least 2 cm into the target vessel. The first chimney graft was advanced into the sheath, and a standard EVAR procedure followed. The chimney graft was deployed at least 2 cm in the IMA; a second chimney graft was advanced and deployed with at least 2 cm overlapping with the first chimney stent parallel and outside of the main abdominal endograft and below the lowest renal artery. The chimney grafts were lined with additional bare nitinol stents. The technique is demonstrated in two male patients who suffered from symptomatic aortobi-iliac aneurysm with patent IMAs and bilateral IIA occlusion. The procedure was completed successfully in both cases without bowel ischemia. At 12 and 6 months, respectively, the chimney grafts remained patent without endoleak. The patients are asymptomatic. Conclusion: The IMA chimney endovascular technique can be considered in EVAR cases with coexistent bilateral IIA occlusion to minimize the risk for bowel ischemia.
FPGA implementation & comparison of current trends in memory scheduler for multimedia application

Improvement in digital signal processing makes it better for high speed application. DSP applications such as multimedia and image processing are characterized by colossal amount of data accesses. Today cardinal issue of DSP application is to reduce impact of memory accesses on execution time. Memory Scheduling is important for DSP application to use memory bandwidth effectively. The paper recounts all memory scheduler for DSP application till today. The paper also, introduces dynamic memory access scheduling with refresh priority scheduling. H.264/AVC provides higher coding efficiency through added features and functionality, which impose additional computational complexity in encoder and decoder. The features of memory access patterns of H.264 encoder are analyzed. The overhead cycle of page activation has been reduced to improve bus efficiency which, further adheres to cut down latency of operations. Experiment results from running H.264 application and memory scheduler on Xilinx FPGA. Ultimately, paper compares reduction in execution time with all previous memory scheduler.
Synthesis of a Nonhydrolyzable Nucleotide Phosphoroimidazolide Analogue That Catalyzes Nonenzymatic RNA Primer Extension

We report the synthesis of guanosine 5′-(4-methylimidazolyl)phosphonate (ICG), the third member of a series of nonhydrolyzable nucleoside 5′-phosphoro-2-methylimidazolide (2-MeImpN) analogues designed for mechanistic studies of nonenzymatic RNA primer extension. The addition of a 2-MeImpN monomer to a primer is catalyzed by the presence of a downstream activated monomer, yet the three nonhydrolyzable analogues do not show catalytic effects under standard mildly basic primer extension conditions. Surprisingly, ICG, which has a pKa similar to that of 2-MeImpG, is a modest catalyst of nonenzymatic primer extension at acidic pH. Here we show that ICG reacts with 2-MeImpC to form a stable 5′–5′-imidazole-bridged guanosine-cytosine dinucleotide, with both a labile nitrogen–phosphorus and a stable carbon–phosphorus linkage flanking the central imidazole bridge. Cognate RNA primer–template complexes react with this GC-dinucleotide by attack of the primer 3′-hydroxyl on the activated N–P side of the 5′-5′-imidazole bridge. These observations support the hypothesis that 5′–5′-imidazole-bridged dinucleotides can bind to cognate RNA primer–template duplexes and adopt appropriate conformations for subsequent phosphodiester bond formation, consistent with our recent mechanistic proposal that the formation of activated 5′–5′-imidazolium-bridged dinucleotides is responsible for 2-MeImpN-driven primer extension.