Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 1.8W 115Gb/s Serial Link for Fully Buffered DIMM with 2.1ns Pass-Through Latency in 90nm CMOS

In this paper, a low-latency low-power high-speed serial link for FBDIMM is reported. A total of 24 transceivers, each running at 4.8 Gb/s, form the core of the link which is completed by a CMU. Each transceiver features a quarter-rate receive front-end and a quarter-rate transmit backend. Standard CMOS logic performs receive de-multiplexing and transmit multiplexing. Temporary drift of the receive data stream is absorbed by a programmable elastic buffer (FIFO). Retimed receive data is directly forwarded to the transmit multiplexer in pass-through mode. FBDIMM systems potentially increase the memory latency.
Should future interventional neuroradiologists be screened for mutations that impair radiation-induced DNA repair?

In our current medical practice, an increasing number of specialists now have access to radiology technical platforms in order to perform imaging-guided procedures. Although knowledge about the current guidelines and radiation protection devices is a pre-requisite for the use of radiation, the preventive measures are often more or less strictly followed, leading to chronic daily exposure to significant doses of radiation and large accumulated lifetime exposures. Aortic intervention, electrophysiology, and neuro intervention in particular can result in large doses to the operators. Interventionalists might try to rationalize their dismissal of the exposure risks with various excuses: they don’t know where they left their badges (even though, guiltily, they would readily admit it is good practice to always wear them), the estimated short duration of the procedure, significant muscular strain and spasm caused by the heaviness of lead aprons, decreased dexterity with lead gloves, or discomfort in wearing lead protective glasses. But their dismissive attitude is most likely due to the inherent inability to feel threatened by something they cannot see or feel, a commitment to the patient at all cost, and a culture of bravado that reinforces their behavior.
The European ideal has sunk to the bottom of the Mediterranean with the migrants it rejects

The EU prizes the freedom of movement its citizens enjoy. Yet this depends on securing ‘Fortress Europe’ against non-Europeans – including the thousands who drown trying to cross the Mediterranean. Claire Sutherland asks how the Union can tolerate squalid migrant camps that are, in the words of its own migration commissioner, ‘an insult to our values and civilisation’.
Glycodelin Protein and mRNA Is Downregulated in Human First Trimester Abortion and Partially Upregulated in Mole Pregnancy

Glycodelin (Gd) is a major reproductive glycoprotein and a mediator for immunomodulatory effects directed to cellular, humoral, and innate immunity. Human pregnancy depends on a diversity of physiological processes including modulation of the maternal immunosystem. We evaluated the expression of Gd protein and mRNA in first trimester decidual tissue of normal pregnancies and spontaneous abortion and hydatidiform moles. Furthermore, in vitro experiments on endometrial cancer cells to analyze the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on Gd regulation were performed. In decidual tissue of abortion patients, Gd expression was significantly decreased compared with normal gestation, which was confirmed by in situ hybridization. In mole pregnancy, an upregulation of Gd in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy was present. Gd is a main product of decidual tissue in the first trimester of human pregnancy. Reduced Gd expression in abortive pregnancy could lead to an increased activation of the maternal immunosystem, thus causing rejection of the developing fetus. Moreover, Gd expression in endometrial cancer cells in vitro could be stimulated by addition of hCG. Therefore, we speculate that hCG could be one of the factors regulating Gd expression because hCG is downregulated in women with abortion and upregulated in mole pregnancy. In addition, we found a positive feedback loop in Gd and hCG expression in human pregnancy.
Low Plasma Renin Activity in Normotensive Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Relationship to Neuropathy

SUMMARY To determine the effect of diabetes mellitus on the renin-aldosterone system, independent of age, nephropathy, or hypertension, 16 nonnotensive diabetics with long-term disease (mean duration, 15 years) and no (14) or minimal (2) proteinuria, were compared to nine age-matched, normotensive controls. Plasma renin activity (PRA) measured supine and after 4 hours of quiet ambulation, both on an ad libitum diet and on Day 4 of a 10 mEq low sodium diet, was always lower in the diabetics (31%-56% of control values). After the combined stimulus of sodium depletion and ambulation, PRA was 2.2 ± 0.4 in the diabetics compared to 3.4 ± 0.2 ng/ml/hr in controls (p < 0.025). On the low sodium diet, PRA and the postural response of PRA correlated directly with the degree of autonomic dysfunction as quantitated by the velocity of esophageal peristalsis (r = 0.60, p < 0.05; r = 0.75, p < 0.005 respectively), suggesting that autonomic neuropathy was an important factor contributing to low PRA in these patients. No other parameters correlated with PRA. Plasma renin substrate (PRS) tended to be lower in diabetics (1053 ± 95 vs 1358 ± 132 ng AI/ml;p < 0.07) but not sufficiently so to account for the substantial difference in PRA. Furthermore, PRS did not correlate with PRA. Fasting blood sugar, while higher in diabetics (209 vs 96 rag/dl), and creatlnlne clearance, which was lower (112 ± 13 vs 78 ± 4 ml/min; p < 0.01), also did not correlate with PRA. Other factors, including serum creatlnlne, serum potassium, urinary aldosterone, blood pressure, and body weight, and the responses of these parameters to sodium depletion, were similar in diabetics and controls. These data Implicate visceral neuropathy as a major factor in the hyporeninemia of these diabetics.
Time-frequency analysis of electroencephalogram series. III. Wavelet packets and information cost function

Signals obtained during tonic-clonic epileptic seizures are usually neglected for analysis by the physicians due to the presence of noise caused by muscle contractions. Although noise obscures completely the recording, some information about the underlying brain activity can be obtained with wavelet transform by filtering those frequencies associated with muscle activity. One great advantage of this method over traditional filtering is that the filtered frequencies do not modify the pattern of the remanent ones. An accurate analysis of the different seizure stages was achieved using the wavelet packet method, and through the information cost function the brain dynamical behavior can be accessed. @S1063-651X~97! 09712-2#
Coronary dilator actions of adenosine and CO2 in experimental diabetes.

We have previously shown that coronary regulation is altered in the diabetic lamb. In the present investigation the effects of hypercapnic acidosis (increases CO2) and adenosine on coronary sinus flow (CF; ml . min-1 . 100 g-1 LV) were assessed in 13 controls and 7 diabetic lambs (glucose 1,084 +/- 193 mg/dl) given alloxan (150 mg/kg) 2 days prior to study. All measurements were made under conditions of constant aortic pressures and cardiac output. Left ventricular (LV) performance was continuously recorded; O2 content, O2 and CO2 partial pressure, pH, and glucose concentrations were compared in simultaneous sinus and arterial samples. Dose-response curves (0.30 micrograms . min-1 . kg-1) indicated a linear relationship between adenosine and CF. At infusion rates of 30 (iv) or 3 (LV) micrograms . min-1 . kg-1 adenosine increased CF by 30 and 21 ml . min-1 . 100 g-1 LV, respectively in control (P less than 0.001) but not in diabetic lambs. With increases CO2 (80 mmHg; pH 6.95), CF increased substantially (control 60 ml; diabetic 45 ml) in both groups (P less than 0.001). The dilator action of adenosine was enhanced in control during increases CO2, and significant responses to adenosine appeared in the diabetic group. It is concluded that increases [H+] has a potent direct coronary dilator action in both control and diabetic lambs and enhances responsiveness to adenosine. Sensitivity to adenosine is reduced in diabetics, and this subsensitivity is largely reversed by hypercapnic acidosis.
A Theoretical Study of the Hydration of Methane, from the Aqueous Solution to the sI Hydrate-Liquid Water-Gas Coexistence

Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations were done with three recent water models TIP4P/2005 (Transferable Intermolecular Potential with 4 Points/2005), TIP4P/Ice (Transferable Intermolecular Potential with 4 Points/ Ice) and TIP4Q (Transferable Intermolecular Potential with 4 charges) combined with two models for methane: an all-atom one OPLS-AA (Optimal Parametrization for the Liquid State) and a united-atom one (UA); a correction for the C–O interaction was applied to the latter and used in a third set of simulations. The models were validated by comparison to experimental values of the free energy of hydration at 280, 300, 330 and 370 K, all under a pressure of 1 bar, and to the experimental radial distribution functions at 277, 283 and 291 K, under a pressure of 145 bar. Regardless of the combination rules used for σC,O, good agreement was found, except when the correction to the UA model was applied. Thus, further simulations of the sI hydrate were performed with the united-atom model to compare the thermal expansivity to the experiment. A final set of simulations was done with the UA methane model and the three water models, to study the sI hydrate-liquid water-gas coexistence at 80, 230 and 400 bar. The melting temperatures were compared to the experimental values. The results show the need to perform simulations with various different models to attain a reliable and robust molecular image of the systems of interest.
Posterior Reversible Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome Associated with Pazopanib

A 62-year-old female patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma under third-line treatment with pazopanib for 8 weeks suddenly developed severe headaches, grand mal seizures and paresis of the left arm in combination with gait instability as well as nausea and vomiting during her vacation abroad. The emergency physician measured systolic blood pressure values over 300 mm Hg and suspected a stroke. The CT imaging without contrast agent in a local hospital did not show any pathologic findings despite bone metastases. The colleagues suspected cerebral metastases or meningeosis carcinomatosa and referred the patient to our department for further diagnostics and treatment planning. An MRI scan ruled out the suspected cerebral metastases or meningeosis carcinomatosa, but showed signs of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) in the form of band-like hyperintensities as a sign of cytotoxic edema in the gray and white matter of the left parietal lobe. The patient then reported that similar blood pressure values had been measured shortly after the start of a first-line therapy with sunitinib, so that we discontinued the current treatment with pazopanib. Within 6 days the neurologic symptoms vanished and the patient was discharged. An intermittent hypertension persisted. A follow-up MRI 3 weeks later showed an RPLS-typical cortical infarction in the affected area. RPLS should be considered as the actual reason for neurologic findings in hypertensive patients with known metastatic cancers under tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.
Using mark-recapture methods to estimate population size and survival of pyjama sharks Poroderma africanum in Mossel Bay, South Africa

The pyjama shark Poroderma africanum (family Scyliorhinidae) is endemic to coastal waters of South Africa but its population characteristics are poorly known. This study aims to estimate baseline demographic parameters for P. africanum in Mossel Bay. We applied mark-recapture methods following Pollock’s robust design (PRD) and Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) models, using five-year tag-recapture data and one-year acoustic-telemetry data, respectively. Estimates of abundance, survival, capture probabilities and temporary emigration were obtained using these models. The PRD model indicated random temporary emigration (0.955 period–1 [95% CI 0.755–0.993]), constant survival, and season-varying capture and recapture probabilities with a negative behavioural response to first capture (β = −5.34 [−6.89 to −3.80]). Abundance estimates ranged from 11 (10.01–13.21) to 53 (52.05–56.82) sharks in Mossel Bay. The CJS model indicated constant survival (0.271 y–1 [95% CI 0.0–0.75]) and sex-independent probabilities of being captured at least once annually (1.0 y–1 for both sexes). This study provides the first demographic information for the management of this population. Further studies should utilise larger sample sizes and more complex models, and investigate specific management options.
Management of complex chronic disease: facing the challenges in the Canadian health-care system

This paper discusses the challenges that those living with complex chronic disease present to the Canadian health-care system. The literature suggests home care and the management of complex chronic disease can together ease many of the present and future pressures facing the health-care system in dealing with this new health-care phenomenon. A review of current literature and dialogue with key informants reveals that the current level of investment and the present policy environment are not sustainable to support the health-care system. In this paper, changes to policy and resource allocation to the home care sector are suggested to help manage complex chronic disease and thus improve the effectiveness of the Canadian health-care system. A case is made for a reorganization and increased commitment to the home care sector for a more efficient and patient-centred health-care delivery system.
Pathophysiology of diurnal drooling in Parkinson's disease

Drooling is an incapacitating feature of Parkinson's disease. Better pathophysiological insights are needed to improve treatment. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the cause of drooling is multifactorial. We examined 15 patients with Parkinson's disease with distinct diurnal saliva loss (“droolers”) and 15 patients with Parkinson's disease without drooling complaints (“nondroolers”). We evaluated all factors that could potentially contribute to drooling: swallowing capacity (maximum volume), functional swallowing (assessed with the dysphagia subscale of the Therapy Outcome Measures for rehabilitation specialists), unintentional mouth opening due to hypomimia (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale item), posture (quantified from sagittal photographs), and nose‐breathing ability. We also quantified the frequency of spontaneous swallowing during 45 minutes of quiet sitting, using polygraphy. Droolers had more advanced Parkinson's disease than nondroolers (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score 31 vs 22; P = .014). Droolers also scored significantly worse on all recorded variables except for nose breathing. Swallowing frequency tended to be higher, possibly to compensate for less efficient swallowing. Logistic regression with adjustment for age and disease severity showed that hypomimia correlated best with drooling. Linear regression with hypomimia as the dependent variable identified disease severity, dysphagia, and male sex as significant explanatory factors. Drooling in Parkinson's disease results from multiple risk factors, with hypomimia being the most prominent. When monitored, patients appear to compensate by increasing their swallowing frequency, much like the increased cadence that is used to compensate for stepping akinesia. These findings can provide a rationale for behavioral approaches to treat drooling. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Attempted Suicide in Bipolar Disorder: Risk Factors in a Cohort of 6086 Patients

Objective Bipolar disorder is associated with high risk of self-harm and suicide. We wanted to investigate risk factors for attempted suicide in bipolar patients. Method This was a cohort study of 6086 bipolar patients (60% women) registered in the Swedish National Quality Register for Bipolar Disorder 2004–2011 and followed-up annually 2005–2012. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for fatal or non-fatal attempted suicide during follow-up. Results Recent affective episodes predicted attempted suicide during follow-up (men: odds ratio = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.76–7.51; women: odds ratio = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.78–4.44), as did previous suicide attempts (men: odds ratio = 3.93, 95% CI = 2.48–6.24; women: odds ratio = 4.24, 95% CI = 3.06–5.88) and recent psychiatric inpatient care (men: odds ratio = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.59–8,01; women: odds ratio = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.60–4.50). Further, those with many lifetime depressive episodes were more likely to attempt suicide. Comorbid substance use disorder was a predictor in men; many lifetime mixed episodes, early onset of mental disorder, personality disorder, and social problems related to the primary group were predictors in women. Conclusion The principal clinical implication of the present study is to pay attention to the risk of suicidal behaviour in bipolar patients with depressive features and more severe or unstable forms of the disorder.
Branched-Chain Amino Acid Ingestion Stimulates Muscle Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis following Resistance Exercise in Humans

The ingestion of intact protein or essential amino acids (EAA) stimulates mechanistic target of rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1) signaling and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) following resistance exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of myofibrillar-MPS to ingestion of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) only (i.e., without concurrent ingestion of other EAA, intact protein, or other macronutrients) following resistance exercise in humans. Ten young (20.1 ± 1.3 years), resistance-trained men completed two trials, ingesting either 5.6 g BCAA or a placebo (PLA) drink immediately after resistance exercise. Myofibrillar-MPS was measured during exercise recovery with a primed, constant infusion of L-[ring13C6] phenylalanine and collection of muscle biopsies pre and 4 h-post drink ingestion. Blood samples were collected at time-points before and after drink ingestion. Western blotting was used to measure the phosphorylation status of mTORC1 signaling proteins in biopsies collected pre, 1-, and 4 h-post drink. The percentage increase from baseline in plasma leucine (300 ± 96%), isoleucine (300 ± 88%), and valine (144 ± 59%) concentrations peaked 0.5 h-post drink in BCAA. A greater phosphorylation status of S6K1Thr389 (P = 0.017) and PRAS40 (P = 0.037) was observed in BCAA than PLA at 1 h-post drink ingestion. Myofibrillar-MPS was 22% higher (P = 0.012) in BCAA (0.110 ± 0.009%/h) than PLA (0.090 ± 0.006%/h). Phenylalanine Ra was ~6% lower in BCAA (18.00 ± 4.31 μmol·kgBM−1) than PLA (21.75 ± 4.89 μmol·kgBM−1; P = 0.028) after drink ingestion. We conclude that ingesting BCAAs alone increases the post-exercise stimulation of myofibrillar-MPS and phosphorylation status mTORC1 signaling.
A Model Transformation Approach Based on Homomorphic Mappings between UML Activity Diagrams and BPEL4WS Specifications of Grid Service Workflows

We use a Domain Specific Language (DSL) based on UML activity diagrams to specify and compose systematically workflow models from Grid services. To be executed, workflow activity diagram models should be translated into BPEL4WS models which will be executed by the BPEL4WS engine. To reach this objective, we propose a meta-model based transformation from UML activity diagrams to BPEL4WS language. To ensure the correctness and the completion of the transformation, we propose a graph homomorphic mapping between the activity diagram and BPEL4WS language elements.
CALL FOR PAPERS Physiology and Pharmacology of Temperature Regulation Thermoregulation: some concepts have changed. Functional architecture of the thermoregulatory system

Romanovsky AA. Thermoregulation: some concepts have changed. Functional architecture of the thermoregulatory system. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 292: R37–R46, 2007. First published September 28, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00668. 2006. — While summarizing the current understanding of how body temperature (Tb) is regulated, this review discusses the recent progress in the following areas: central and peripheral thermosensitivity and temperature-activated transient receptor potential (TRP) channels; afferent neuronal pathways from peripheral thermosensors; and efferent thermoeffector pathways. It is proposed that activation of temperaturesensitive TRP channels is a mechanism of peripheral thermosensitivity. Special attention is paid to the functional architecture of the thermoregulatory system. The notion that deep Tb is regulated by a unified system with a single controller is rejected. It is proposed that Tb is regulated by independent thermoeffector loops, each having its own afferent and efferent branches. The activity of each thermoeffector is triggered by a unique combination of shell and core Tbs. Temperature-dependent phase transitions in thermosensory neurons cause sequential activation of all neurons of the corresponding thermoeffector loop and eventually a thermoeffector response. No computation of an integrated Tb or its comparison with an obvious or hidden set point of a unified system is necessary. Coordination between thermoeffectors is achieved through their common controlled variable, Tb. The described model incorporates Kobayashi’s views, but Kobayashi’s proposal to eliminate the term sensor is rejected. A case against the term set point is also made. Because this term is historically associated with a unified control system, it is more misleading than informative. The term balance point is proposed to designate the regulated level of Tb and to attract attention to the multiple feedback, feedforward, and open-loop components that contribute to thermal balance.
Default reasoning and the transferable belief model

Except when explicitly stated, all belief functions used in this paper are simple support functions, i.e. belief functions for which only one proposition (the focus) of the frame of discernment receives a positive basic belief mass with the remaining mass being given to the tautology. Each belief function will be described by its focus and the weight of the focus (e.g. m(A)=. 9). Computation of the basic belief masses are always performed by vacuously extending each belief function to the product space built from all variables involved, combining them on that space by Dempster's rule of combination, and projecting the result to the space corresponding to each individual variable.
Beyond Concept

This paper is concerned with semantic exibility. As suggested by many studies, human concepts demonstrate enormous exibility in various contexts. In this paper, we propose a model for constructing the conceptual representation on the basis of context. Our solution is based on the separation of representational and classiicatory functions of concepts, and we discuss its implications regarding the conceptual development. We later sketch an implementation of the model for a simple form of context, sentential context.