Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A high-speed CMOS op-amp design technique using negative Miller capacitance

A method is presented in this paper for the design of high speed CMOS operational amplifiers (op-amp). The op-amp consists of an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) followed by an output buffer. The OTA is compensated with a capacitor connected between the input and output of the buffer. An op-amp is designed in a 0.18 /spl mu/m standard digital CMOS technology and exhibits 86 dB DC gain. The unity gain frequency and phase margin are 392 MHz and 73/spl deg/, respectively, for a parallel combination of 2 pF and 1 k/spl Omega/ load. As compared to the conventional approach, the proposed compensation method results in a 1.5 times increase in unity gain frequency and a 35/spl deg/ improvement in the phase margin under the same load conditions.
Is Blood Superior to Crystalloid Cardioplegia?: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background— Many small, randomized, controlled trials have evaluated the effectiveness of blood as compared with crystalloid cardioplegia for myocardial protection during cardiac surgery. Blood cardioplegia provides a closer approximation to normal physiology, which may translate into measurable clinical benefits. This meta-analysis describes the effectiveness of blood cardioplegia in lowering adverse postoperative outcomes. Methods and Results— MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane registry of controlled trials were searched for clinical trials. The search was restricted to peer-reviewed English language publications of randomized controlled trials that primarily compared blood and crystalloid cardioplegia in adult patients. Each trial was blindly assessed and abstracted by 2 reviewers. The primary outcomes were: low output syndrome (LOS), myocardial infarction (MI), and death. Surrogate outcomes included postoperative creatinine kinase MB (CKMB) increase. Random effects summary odds ratio (OR) for binary outcomes, and weighted mean difference for continuous outcomes were calculated. A total of 34 trials were included. The majority of trials were conducted in patients undergoing elective CABG surgery (n=18). The incidence of LOS was decreased significantly with blood cardioplegia (OR, 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34 to 0.84; P=0.006; 879 patients, 10 trials). The incidence of MI and death were similar between treatment groups (MI: OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.54 to 1.13; 4316 patients, 23 trials) (death: OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.40; 4022 patients, 17 trials). CKMB release after surgery at 24 hours was reduced with blood cardioplegia (5.9 U/L; 95% CI, 1.6 to 10.2; P=0.007; 821 patients, 7 trials). Conclusions— Blood cardioplegia provides superior myocardial protection as compared with crystalloid cardioplegia, including lower rates of LOS, and early CKMB increase, whereas the incidence of myocardial infarction and death are similar.
Assessing racial health inequality in older adulthood: comparisons from mixed-mode panel interviews.

OBJECTIVES Estimates of the extent of health disparities among Black and White older adults are not consistent across studies. The purpose of this study was to systematically compare responses from Black and White older adults in telephone and face-to-face interviews in order to determine whether estimates of racial health inequality vary by survey interview mode. METHODS By using data from a mixed-mode panel study, I compared estimates of changing health inequality for Black and White older adults collected from face-to-face and telephone interviews. I calculated trajectories of physical disability by using latent growth models across seven waves of data. RESULTS Face-to-face interviews yielded consistently higher reports of disability relative to telephone interviews of the same persons. Black adults had significantly greater and increasing disability than did White adults for both interview modes. After adjusting for covariates, I found that Black and White older adults had parallel disability trajectories in face-to-face interviews but a widening gap in disability over time in telephone interviews. DISCUSSION Researchers should judiciously consider whether estimates of racial health inequality-and change in disability more broadly-may be misleading because of interview-mode effects.
Semiparametric Bayesian Testing Procedure for Noninferiority Trials with Binary Endpoints

A semiparametric testing approach based on the Bayes factor is developed for non-inferiority trials with binary endpoints. The proposed method is shown to work for a broad class of hypotheses by accommodating a variety of dissimilarity measures between two binomial parameters. Two of the unique features of the proposed testing procedure include: (i) construction of a flexible class of conjugate priors using a mixture of beta densities to maintain approximate equality of prior probabilities of the competing hypotheses; and (ii) automatic determination of the cutoff value of the Bayes factor to facilitate the decision making process. In contrast to the use of Jeffreys's rule of thumb, two forms of total weighted average error criteria are used to determine the cutoff value. Through several simulation studies it is demonstrated that the proposed Bayesian procedure has competitive frequentist properties of controlling type I error as compared to the default frequentist test and meanwhile the proposed criterion improves the statistical power, especially in small samples. The method is further illustrated using the data from a streptococcal pharyngitis clinical trial.
Modelo de estadios de cambio: compatibilidad con relatos biográficos de mujeres que sufren violencia doméstica

This study aims to analyze the adjustment of women, victims of intimate partner violence, by applying the Prochaska and Di Clemente Stages of Change Model.An interpretative qualitative study was made in 35 domestic violence victims women detected in primary care, women who recognized their relationship as abusive (perceived maltreatment). This is a multicentric study, with participation of six health centers of Malaga city. Biographical Narration technique by audio-recorded and transcribed interview was used; about this, thematic analysis adjustment to Transtheoretic Model phases was applied. ATLAS-TI 5.0 program was used for codification. Precontemplative, maintenance and ending stages were more represented while action phases were poorly mentioned. Main phases characteristics were: “blindness” and inexplicability in precontemplative stage; pros / cons analysis in contemplative phase; making decisions difficulty in action phases; suffering and going ahead purpose in maintenance stage, and determination and analysis capacity in the ending stage. Keys for intervention according to the phase of the process were offered.
NEW PRECISION ORBITS OF BRIGHT DOUBLE-LINED SPECTROSCOPIC BINARIES. II. HR 2962, HD 214686, AND 16 PSC

Radial velocities from the 2.1 m telescope at McDonald Observatory and the coudé feed telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory are used to determine new spectroscopic orbits for the double-lined spectroscopic binaries HR 2962 (F5V), HD 214686 (F8IV), and 16 Psc (F6Vb vw). The new orbital dimensions (a1sin i and a2sin i) and minimum masses (m1sin3i and m2sin3i) have accuracies of 0.1–1%. In the case of HD 214686, which has components of nearly the same mass (m1/m2 = 1.0080 ± 0.0013), we confirm that the component labeled as the primary in previous spectroscopic studies of this system is the slightly more massive component. We find that in HR 2962 the primary is rotating much more rapidly than the pseudosynchronous rate, while the rotation of the secondary is slightly faster than pseudosynchronous; in HD 214686 the primary is rotating at the pseudosynchronous rate or perhaps slightly less, while the rotation of the secondary is pseudosynchronous; and in 16 Psc both components rotate somewhat more rapidly than the pseudosynchronous rates. The three systems, which are of naked-eye brightness, are good potential targets for resolution by modern optical interferometers and so are promising candidates for full determination of their orbits and associated precise masses and distances.
The Hidden History of Product Placement

Product placements now saturate motion pictures and television, but the practice began long before E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial followed a trail of Reese's Pieces out of the woods. Using internal documents from motion picture studios, advertising agencies, television networks, and public relations firms, this study traces the development of product placement from its beginnings in the Lumiere films of the 1890s through the 1982 success of E.T. and Reese's Pieces. The developmental differences between product placement in motion pictures and television, and the repercussions of those differences on current practice, are discussed.
An Enhanced Model for Small-Signal Analysis of the Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge Converter

This paper presents an in-depth critical discussion and derivation of a detailed small-signal analysis of the phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) converter. Circuit parasitics, resonant inductance, and transformer turns ratio have all been taken into account in the evaluation of this topology's open-loop control-to-output, line-to-output, and load-to-output transfer functions. Accordingly, the significant impact of losses and resonant inductance on the converter's transfer functions is highlighted. The enhanced dynamic model proposed in this paper enables the correct design of the converter compensator, including the effect of parasitics on the dynamic behavior of the PSFB converter. Detailed experimental results for a real-life 36 V-to-14 V/10 A PSFB industrial application show excellent agreement with the predictions from the model proposed herein.
Ezilla Fast Deployment Cloud Toolkit with Network Infrastructure Service

Deployment of server virtualization almost becomes a universal basic concept of making full use of the data center resources. With the evolution trend for powerful multi-core servers, more memory capacity, and greater bandwidth network channel, it is necessary to think about the network I/O. To contribute this issue, Ezilla has been developed by Pervasive Computing Team at National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC). Ezilla integrates the Cloud middleware, virtualization technology, and Web-based Operating System (WebOS) to build virtual machines in the distributed computing environment. The main character of Ezilla is simplifying a lot complexity of utilizing Clouds. Via the Ezilla with SR-IOV feature, Cloud users can create virtual clusters that are customized to meet the specific needs from the users. Our goal is to make scientists or users painlessly run their works on Clouds, and greatly improve the network I/O performance.
Bulk perturbations of N=2 branes

The evolution of supersymmetric A-type D-branes under the bulk renormalization group flow between two different N = 2 minimal models is studied. Using the Landau-Ginzburg description we show that a specific set of branes decouples from the infrared theory, and we make detailed predictions for the behavior of the remaining branes. The Landau-Ginzburg picture is then checked against a direct conformal field theory analysis. In particular we construct a natural index pairing which is preserved by the RG flow, and show that the branes that decouple have vanishing index with the surviving branes.
Visualization skills and their incorporation in biology curriculum

Many graduates of various levels and disciplines appear unable to practically apply their knowledge in problem solving situations. However, few education systems are adopting modern education practices such as visualization skills that intrinsically motivate and engage learners and are at the same time flexible enough to consider students’ aspirations and interests. Such systems make learning more relevant, meaningful and enjoyable to the learners and improve exit performances. In such a system, the role of the teacher is that of a facilitator and not instructor. The purpose of this study was to identify three-dimensional (3D) visualizations that could aid comprehension and perception of cytoplasmic structure, geo-referenced graphical data and understanding of spatial relationships in Biology. A qualitative research approach was used to ascertain from university lecturers (n = 13) what convictions, beliefs and experiences they have had with their students that related to the use of visualization skills. Skills most required included interpretation of 2 and 3D structures as well as their rotation in space. A survey was also carried out among cell biology first year students (n = 145) and second year students (n = 45) of the School of Life and Environmental Studies at the University of Natal in order to precisely determine aspects of three-dimensionality and visual skills suspected to cause conceptual difficulties. Quantitative data analysis (the non parametric Mann-Whitney U - Wilcoxon Test at a confidence level of 0.05) showed that the most deficient skills in the learners included pattern folding (projecting 2D material into 3D objects), orientation of form (identifying 3D objects that are oriented differently) and rotation (identifying 3D objects from top and front views). These findings corroborate qualitative analysis of lecturers’ opinions and convictions. An educational computer game is proposed with the aim of ameliorating these problems. It is recommended that visualization skills should be incorporated into the Biology curriculum for all undergraduate students within the first year of the course.
Government Support of Investment Projects in the Private Sector: A Microeconomic Approach

We examine government decisions on subsidizing investments in the private sector and discriminating among firms in its support programs. By taxing corporate profits, the government may affect corporate investment decisions, causing firms to invest less than what would be socially optimal. Investments that are desirable from the standpoint of social welfare may be rejected by shareholders, which may ultimately lead to the collection of fewer taxes. We analyze the conditions for optimal subsidies for investments carried out by the private sector. We find that high-risk ventures that generate substantial spillover activity are prime candidates for government incentive schemes.
Lipid Metabolites Enhance Secretion Acting on SNARE Microdomains and Altering the Extent and Kinetics of Single Release Events in Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Lipid molecules such as arachidonic acid (AA) and sphingolipid metabolites have been implicated in modulation of neuronal and endocrine secretion. Here we compare the effects of these lipids on secretion from cultured bovine chromaffin cells. First, we demonstrate that exogenous sphingosine and AA interact with the secretory apparatus as confirmed by FRET experiments. Examination of plasma membrane SNARE microdomains and chromaffin granule dynamics using total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy (TIRFM) suggests that sphingosine production promotes granule tethering while arachidonic acid promotes full docking. Our analysis of single granule release kinetics by amperometry demonstrated that both sphingomyelinase and AA treatments enhanced drastically the amount of catecholamines released per individual event by either altering the onset phase of or by prolonging the off phase of single granule catecholamine release kinetics. Together these results demonstrate that the kinetics and extent of the exocytotic fusion pore formation can be modulated by specific signalling lipids through related functional mechanisms.
Flight path following guidance for unmanned air vehicles with pan-tilt camera for target observation

An Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) is equipped with a nose-mounted camera capable of pan and tilt rotation for the observation of ground targets. The two camera angles are adjusted automatically in order to keep the target in the camera's field of view. While the camera actuators are fast enough to keep up with vehicle motion, the limited range of the camera angles leads to the target getting out of sight. Therefore, target exposure is affected by wind. Furthermore, the relative position of the sun can lead to glare and image overexposure. While the effect of wind can be improved by commanding a sideslip angle, image overexposure is avoided by keeping the vehicle between sun and target. Thus, it is desirable of define maneuvers that result in maximum target exposure, and provide guidance laws to allow path following for these maneuvers. This paper presents initial results, obtained based on circular and elliptical maneuvers. The results were generated using an accurate non-linear Aerosonde UAV representation and environmental dynamic models. Simulated GPS data was used for the path following guidance. The complete path about the target at constant altitude and airspeed is specified simply by the desired orbital segment and course reversals at the segment boundaries. With camera pan limited to the forward 180°, this can achieve long term observation. A camera with minor 'look-back' range can provide continuous observation in a maneuver that employs both circular and elliptical segments.
[Inhibiting effects of GW2974 on DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the inhibiting effects of GW2974, a tyrosine kinase inhibitors, on dimethyl-benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced Syrian golden hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. METHODS Ninety hamsters were painted with 0.5% DMBA in the left buccal pouches three times a week for 6 weeks, which were then divided into 3 groups: low-concentration, high-concentration and positive control groups. Positive control group received no further treatment. Ten hamsters served as negative control. The two treated groups were topically painted with GW2974 (4 mmol/L) and GW2974 (8 mmol/L) three times a week, respectively. Tissue samples of the left cheek pouch were obtained at 24 th week. The average number, average volume and burden of tumor, incidence of tumor and the pathological changes of each group were recorded. RESULTS After GW2974 (4 mmol/L and 8 mmol/L) was applied topically, tumor incidence decreased from 80.0% (24/30) to 43.3% (13/30, P < 0.01) and 36.7% (11/30, P < 0.01) respectively, the average number of tumors decreased from 1.00 +/- 0.87 to 0.47 +/- 0.82 (P < 0.05) and 0.37 +/- 0.62 (P < 0.05), the average volume and burden of tumors also declined, tumor incidence decreased from 70.0% (21/30) to 40.0% (12/30, P < 0.05) and 33.3% (10/30, P < 0.01), the number of tumors declined from 1.83 +/- 1.91 to 0.67 +/- 0.99 (P < 0.05) and 0.43 +/- 0.68 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Topical application of GW2974 could significantly inhibit hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis, which suggests that GW2974 may have a major impact in chemoprevention and treatment of oral cancer.
Intralabyrinthine hemorrhage associated with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss caused by intralabyrinthine hemorrhage is a rare entity reported in patients with coagulopathy, anticoagulant therapy, trauma, labyrinthitis, leukemia, cocaine consumption, systemic lupus erythematosus, and local hemorrhagic pathologies (1). Intralabyrinthine hemorrhage is probably an underdiagnosed condition that, before the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), had been described in the literature only after postmortem evaluation. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates intralabyrinthine hyperintensities on spin echo T1-weighted (T1 SE) images, consistent with either methemoglobin content from hemorrhage or elevated protein levels (Fig. 1). Persistent intralabyrinthine hyperintensities on fat-saturated T1weighted images exclude the possibility of a lipoma. Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a rare cause of sensorineural hearing loss secondary to recurrent low-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage. As time goes by, the hemorrhage leads to hemosiderin deposition in the subpial layer of the brain and spinal cord. The most common neurological manifestations include sensorineural hearing loss and ataxia. The chronic and recurrent low-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage is crucial to the development of superficial siderosis because
Regulation of Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) Limb Blastema Cell Proliferation by Nerves and BMP2 in Organotypic Slice Culture

We have modified and optimized the technique of organotypic slice culture in order to study the mechanisms regulating growth and pattern formation in regenerating axolotl limb blastemas. Blastema cells maintain many of the behaviors that are characteristic of blastemas in vivo when cultured as slices in vitro, including rates of proliferation that are comparable to what has been reported in vivo. Because the blastema slices can be cultured in basal medium without fetal bovine serum, it was possible to test the response of blastema cells to signaling molecules present in serum, as well as those produced by nerves. We also were able to investigate the response of blastema cells to experimentally regulated changes in BMP signaling. Blastema cells responded to all of these signals by increasing the rate of proliferation and the level of expression of the blastema marker gene, Prrx-1. The organotypic slice culture model provides the opportunity to identify and characterize the spatial and temporal co-regulation of pathways in order to induce and enhance a regenerative response.
Learning Distinctive Local Object Characteristics for 3D Shape Retrieval

While supervised learning approaches for 3D shape retrieval have been successfully used to incorporate human knowledge about object classes based on global shape features, the incorporation of local features still remains a difficult task. First, it is not obvious how to measure the similarity between two objects each represented by a set of local features, and second, it is not clear how to choose local feature scales such that they are most distinctive. In this paper, we tackle both of these problems and present a supervised learning approach that uses arbitrary local features for 3D shape retrieval. It avoids the problem of establishing feature correspondences and automatically detects discriminating feature scales. Our experiments on the Princeton Shape Benchmark show that our method is superior to state-of-the-art shape retrieval techniques.
Toward an extended behavioral intention model for e-learning: Using learning and teaching styles as individual differences

E-learning has continued to gain attention in enterprises and universities. As higher education deploys more e-learning systems, it is important for researchers to evaluate the performance of these systems. With the growing trend toward web-based learning systems, behavioral intention models (such as TAM, TPB, TAM2, UTAUT) seem particularly helpful to examine whether and why people use e-learning technologies. Although a number of studies have presented factors that influence the adoption of e-learning, few studies have investigated the moderating effects of cognitive-oriented individual differences. Previous studies have presented various perspectives on individual difference that have focused on demographic variables, such as age, gender, education, and individual experience. Our theoretical model focuses on cognitive-oriented individual differences to synthesize relevant characteristics of users and systems. This study extends the TAM model, the most frequently adopted behavioral intention theory, by considering cognitive-oriented individual differences (e.g., learning and teaching styles) and presenting a new theoretical framework to examine the acceptance of e-learning technologies.