Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Development and Technological Impact on CO2 Reducing Conditions in Romania

Climate change is a reality all over the world, and its complexity is increasing. Therefore, sustainability has become a national and international concern, ingrained in many organizational processes. The ability of organizations to respond to sustainability concerns is sometimes hindered by the complexity of integrating sustainability into business models and by the need to rethink their strategic directions. In Romania, sustainable development has become a priority for businesses, but even though companies are showing some concern, there are yet to demonstrate any full commitment (they are mainly concerned with areas such as society and the environment). This paper assesses Romania’s involvement in the adoption of actions directed toward the reduction of pollutants and greenhouse gases, namely actions focused on reducing the main causes of pollution. This analysis compares the situation in Romania with that of the European Union. The main concerns can be categorized according to four sectors, which produce the highest quantity of carbon dioxide emissions in the world: the energy sector, the transport sector, the waste sector and the industry sector. The last section of this paper deals with the carbon footprint of Romania and its implications.
Correlation between Cortical State and Locus Coeruleus Activity: Implications for Sensory Coding in Rat Barrel Cortex

Cortical state modulates the background activity of cortical neurons, and their evoked response to sensory stimulation. Multiple mechanisms are involved in switching between cortical states including various neuromodulatory systems. Locus Coeruleus (LC) is one of the major neuromodulatory nuclei in the brainstem with widespread projections throughout the brain and modulates the activity of cells and networks. Here, we quantified the link between the LC spontaneous activity, cortical state and sensory processing in the rat vibrissal somatosensory “barrel” cortex (BC). We simultaneously recorded unit activity from LC and BC along with prefrontal electroencephalogram (EEG) while presenting brief whisker deflections under urethane anesthesia. The ratio of low to high frequency components of EEG (referred to as the L/H ratio) was employed to identify cortical state. We found that the spontaneous activity of LC units exhibited a negative correlation with the L/H ratio. Cross-correlation analysis revealed that changes in LC firing preceded changes in the cortical state: the correlation of the LC firing profile with the L/H ratio was maximal at an average lag of −1.2 s. We further quantified BC neuronal responses to whisker stimulation during the synchronized and desynchronized states. In the desynchronized state, BC neurons showed lower stimulus detection threshold, higher response fidelity, and shorter response latency. The most prominent change was observed in the late phase of BC evoked activity (100–400 ms post stimulus onset): almost every BC unit exhibited a greater late response during the desynchronized state. Categorization of the BC evoked responses based on LC activity (into high and low LC discharge rates) resulted in highly similar response profiles compared to categorization based on the cortical state (low and high L/H ratios). These findings provide evidence for the involvement of the LC neuromodulatory system in desynchronization of cortical state and the consequent enhancement of sensory coding efficiency.
Square or Sine: Finding a Waveform with High Success Rate of Eliciting SSVEP

Steady state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) is the brain's natural electrical potential response for visual stimuli at specific frequencies. Using a visual stimulus flashing at some given frequency will entrain the SSVEP at the same frequency, thereby allowing determination of the subject's visual focus. The faster an SSVEP is identified, the higher information transmission rate the system achieves. Thus, an effective stimulus, defined as one with high success rate of eliciting SSVEP and high signal-noise ratio, is desired. Also, researchers observed that harmonic frequencies often appear in the SSVEP at a reduced magnitude. Are the harmonics in the SSVEP elicited by the fundamental stimulating frequency or by the artifacts of the stimuli? In this paper, we compare the SSVEP responses of three periodic stimuli: square wave (with different duty cycles), triangle wave, and sine wave to find an effective stimulus. We also demonstrate the connection between the strength of the harmonics in SSVEP and the type of stimulus.
Premature menopause in survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study.

BACKGROUND Childhood cancer survivors who retain ovarian function after completing cancer treatment are at increased risk of developing premature menopause, defined as cessation of menses before age 40 years. However, published data pertaining to the risk and frequency of premature menopause are limited. METHODS We assessed the incidence of and risk factors for premature menopause in 2819 survivors of childhood cancer who were older than 18 years and were participants in the multicenter Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). The comparison group was 1065 female siblings of participants in the CCSS. A multiple Poisson regression model was constructed to determine risk factors for nonsurgical premature menopause. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS A total of 126 childhood cancer survivors and 33 control siblings developed premature menopause. Of these women, 61 survivors (48%) and 31 siblings (94%) had surgically induced menopause (rate ratio [RR] = 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52 to 1.23). However, the cumulative incidence of nonsurgical premature menopause was higher for survivors than for siblings (8% versus 0.8%; RR = 13.21, 95% CI = 3.26 to 53.51; P<.001). A multiple Poisson regression model showed that risk factors for nonsurgical premature menopause included attained age, exposure to increasing doses of radiation to the ovaries, increasing alkylating agent score (based on number of alkylating agents and cumulative dose), and a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma. For survivors who were treated with alkylating agents plus abdominopelvic radiation, the cumulative incidence of nonsurgical premature menopause approached 30%. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study will facilitate counseling current survivors about their future risk of premature menopause and aid in designing new regimens that seek to diminish late ovarian toxicity.
A* fast and scalable high-throughput sequencing data error correction via oligomers

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have superseded traditional Sanger sequencing approach in many experimental settings, given their tremendous yield and affordable cost. Nowadays it is possible to sequence any microbial organism or meta-genomic sample within hours, and to obtain a whole human genome in weeks. Nonetheless, NGS technologies are error-prone. Correcting errors is a challenge due to multiple factors, including the data sizes, the machine-specific and non-at-random characteristics of errors, and the error distributions. Errors in NGS experiments can hamper the subsequent data analysis and inference. This work proposes an error correction method based on the de Bruijn graph that permits its execution on Gigabyte-sized data sets using normal desktop/laptop computers, ideal for genome sizes in the Megabase range, e.g. bacteria. The implementation makes extensive use of hashing techniques, and implements an A* algorithm for optimal error correction, minimizing the distance between an erroneous read and its possible replacement with the Needleman-Wunsch score. Our approach outperforms other popular methods both in terms of random access memory usage and computing times.
A 16 Kb Spin-Transfer Torque Random Access Memory With Self-Enable Switching and Precharge Sensing Schemes

Spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) is considered one of the most promising non-volatile memory candidates thanks to its excellent performance in terms of access speed, endurance, and compatibility to CMOS. However, high power supply voltage is required in the conventional STT-MRAM writing circuit, which results in high power consumption (e.g., ~10 pJ/bit). In addition, it suffers from stochastic switching behavior and process voltage temperature variations. These make power-efficient and reliable write/read circuits become critical challenges. In this paper, we present novel circuits and architectures to build a 16 kb STT-MRAM design with low power and high reliability. For example, the self-enable switching scheme reduces the power consumption effectively and the fore-placed sense amplifier improves the robustness to process variation. Using an accurate compact model of 65 nm STT-MRAM and a commercial CMOS design kit, mixed transient and statistical simulations have been performed to validate this design.
Efficiency of Dairy Production and its Carbon Footprint

The productivity of the American farmer has increased dramatically over the last century. One hundred years ago a farmer produced enough to feed 15 people and over 40% of the US population was involved in agriculture-related businesses. Today the produce from an average farmer feeds 130 people and farmers represent less than 2% of the U.S. population. The increases in agricultural productivity over the last century have provided the opportunity for our population to pursue the wide range in vocations and lifestyles that we enjoy today. Sustainability is a more recent concept and it is often defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (UN/WCED, 1987). Thus, the application of sustainable agricultural practices that maximize efficiency to produce more food with fewer resources is critical to ensure the balance between present and future needs so that our natural resources are protected for future generations. There are many dimensions to sustainability (Sapp et al., 2009). Indeed, Arnot (2009) emphasized that public confidence in a sustainable agricultural system requires it be economically viable, scientifically verified, and ethically grounded.
A Psychometric Evaluation of a Measure for Evaluating Youth’s and their Parent’s Worries about Psychosocial Treatment

INTRODUCTION: Initial examination of treatment worries suggest they may represent an important construct; however, previously used measures were limited by their specificity, scale format, and lack of parent report. Therefore the present study sought to examine the initial outcomes and psychometrics of newly developed corresponding measures of treatment worries in youth (Treatment Worries Questionnaire – Child; TWQ-C) and their parents (Treatment Worries Questionnaire – Parent; TWQ-P). METHODS: Participants were 94 youth (7-17-years old) and parent dyads presenting for psychosocial treatment of an anxiety disorder. Prior to initiation of treatment, dyads completed the TWQ-C and TWQ-P along with a host of additional child and parent report measures, and three clinician-rated measures. RESULTS: Treatment worries were endorsed in the mild-moderate range by youth and the TWQ-C demonstrated good-excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability, a strong three-factor structure, and consistent convergent and divergent relationships. Treatment worries were endorsed in the low mild range by parents and the TWQ-P demonstrated fair-good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, a less empirically, but theoretically, supported four-factor structure, and consistent divergent relationships, but variable (by factor) convergent relationships. DISCUSSION: The results of the present study provide information on the concept of treatment worries and support the use of the TWQ-C and TWQ-P as broad assessments of the concept in a variety of populations. Low endorsement of worries among parents likely relates to the nature of
A coordinate descent algorithm for multichannel multiuser detection in underwater acoustic DS-CDMA systems

Direct Sequence (DS) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is considered for a network of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) communicating through a Base Station (BS) equipped with a receive array. A multiuser detection algorithm, based on the Cyclic Coordinate Descent (CCD) approach is proposed for this situation. The CCD technique is used to circumvent the complexity of the optimal Maximum Likelihood (ML) detector. The proposed algorithm is based on joint data detection and channel estimation using Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) as the overall optimization criterion. It is implemented in a multichannel configuration to exploit the array processing gain available at the BS. The complexity of the proposed CCD detector does not depend on the modulation level and is linear in the size of the receive array. The CCD detector has been tested using real data, recorded from four users transmitting asynchronously over a shallow water acoustic channel, with varying Spreading Factors. The signals were transmitted over 2 km in a 20 kHz band, demonstrating good results at the chip rate of 16 kchips/second.
Ontology Visualization Tool for Indexing DICOM Structured Reporting (SR) Documents.

In the medical fields, images and reports of patients are increasingly being held in a digital form. To overcome the problem of heterogeneity due to the use of different devices between the various specialties, DICOM SR standard (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine for Structured Reporting) has emerged. For the medical imaging community taking advantage of this standard to improve medical image retrieval systems become a challenging research issue. In this context, the aim of this paper is a preliminary contribution to an efficient indexing process of DICOM SR documents. We propose to guide this process with an ontology. We describe our motivations for building this ontology by reusing existing ontologies. Then, a specific ontology visualization tool is suggested for imagers to assist their indexing. Keywords— Ontology reuse, ontology visualization tool, Owl, medical image retrieval, DICOM SR standard.
Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology Dovepress Endoscopic Therapy in Chronic Pancreatitis: Current Perspectives

Endoscopic therapy in chronic pancreatitis (CP) aims to provide pain relief and to treat local complications, by using the decompression of the pancreatic duct and the drainage of pseudocysts and biliary strictures, respectively. This is the reason for using it as first-line therapy for painful uncomplicated CP. The clinical response has to be evaluated at 6–8 weeks, when surgery may be chosen. This article reviews the main possibilities of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) therapies. Endotherapy for pancreatic ductal stones uses ultrasound wave lithotripsy and sometimes additional stone extractions. The treatment of pancreatic duct strictures consists of a single large stenting for 1 year. If the stricture persists, simultaneous multiple stents are applied. In case of unsuccessful ERCP, the EUS-guided drainage of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) or a rendezvous technique can solve the ductal strictures. EUS-guided celiac plexus block has limited efficiency in CP. The drainage of symptomatic or complicated pancreatic pseudocysts can be performed transpapillarily or transgastrically/transduodenally, preferably by EUS guidance. When the biliary stricture is symptomatic or progressive, multiple plastic stents are indicated. In conclusion, as in many fields of symptomatic treatment, endoscopy remains the first choice, either by using ERCP or EUS-guided procedures, after consideration of a multidisciplinary team with endoscopists, surgeons, and radiologists. However, what is crucial is establishing the right timing for surgery.
A New Half-Cycle Adaptive Phasor Estimator Immune to the Decaying DC Component for Digital Protective Relaying

The paper presents a new half-cycle adaptive phasor estimation algorithm for digital protective relaying. The algorithm is immune to an exponentially decaying dc component regardless of its initial magnitude and time constant. The algorithm is intended for current signals and improves both the magnitude and impedance measurements. The new measuring technique is based on the recursive half-cycle Fourier filter with a separate adaptive function allowing for thorough rejection of an aperiodic signal component. Analysis of the algorithm’s performance, both analytical and by simulation, is included. The presented algorithm outperforms the classical mimic filtering broadly used in today's relays.
Effects of Timber Harvest on Fog Drip and Streamflow, Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds, Mendocino County, California

Within the second-growth redwood forest of the Caspar Creek watershed, fog drip was measured in 1998 at 12 sites where heavy fog drip was expected. The following year, two one-ha plots were each instrumented with six randomly sited 1.35 m2 fog-drip collectors and one additional collector in a nearby clearcut. Fog-drip totals were highly variable, ranging from zero to 18 mm per event (mean = eight mm) and 0.2 to 99 mm (mean = 39 mm) during the 1999 season. Within the one-ha plots, fog drip under the canopy was only three mm greater than accumulations in the clearcut at one site and not significantly different at the other. Given the annual average precipitation of 1170 mm, fog drip does not appear to strongly influence groundwater recharge and baseflow processes at Caspar Creek. These results are consistent with streamflow measurements. From 1971 to 1973, 65 percent of the timber volume in the South Fork was selectively cut, and from 1985 to 1992, 50 percent of the North Fork basin was clearcut. Annual water yield and summer flows increased following both timber harvests, indicating that the effects of reduced rainfall interception and transpiration exceed that from the loss of fog drip.
Automated Composition of Web Services using AI Planning Techniques

Web Services is an emerging paradigm in which very loosely coupled software components are published, located, and invoked on the Web as parts of distributed applications. Web Services provide a new way of distributed computing where the interoperability between diverse applications is achieved through platform and language independent interfaces. The main focus of Web Services is the ability to easily combine existing components to create compositions that provide novel functionality that was not directly available from the existing services. Web Services composition is useful for a wide range of audience: ordinary users doing everyday tasks on the Web, commercial organizations involved in e-business applications, and researchers doing intense scientific computation over distributed networks such as the Grid. Automated composition of Web Services requires fairly rich machine-understandable descriptions of services that can be shared between heterogeneous agents. Given appropriate descriptions, AI planning techniques can be employed to automate the composition of Web Services described this way. However, Web Service Composition problem differs from classical planning problems in various ways. The information about the world is incomplete and constantly changing; the domain knowledge, i.e. Web Service descriptions, have been developed by different parties and are distributed over the Web; and the plans generated involve communication and interaction with other agents, i.e. providers of the Web Services. In this setting, creating a composition to accomplish a goal requires to interleave planning with execution where both the state of the world and the domain knowledge about planning operators are gathered during the planning process. In this paper, I present the preliminary work I have done for automating the composition of Web Services and discuss future directions for overcoming the limitations of the preliminary work. The purpose is to show that AI planning techniques can be extended to automatically generate useful and purposeful compositions of Web Services under incomplete information. As a starting point, I have worked on how Web Ontology Language (OWL) can be used to describe Web Services. I have created an interactive tool for a user-oriented composition approach and also studied how HTN planning can be used for automated composition of Web Services. In both systems reasoning with Web Ontologies has been used to
Prior, initial state, and MCMC moves for allopolyploid networks

Suppose there are d diploids and m tetraploids. In the language of [2], there are m models h = 1, h = 2, . h = m, where h is the number of hybridizations. Each model has a different number of parameters. Let W be the network topology and node times. The conditional priors π(W |h) must be comparable for different values of h in order to calculate the correct acceptance ratios when jumping between models. Ideally we would like to integrate out the parameters in W analytically, ie calculate for each h the value of ∫ π(W |h)dW
Neuronal Antibodies in Children with or without Narcolepsy following H1N1-AS03 Vaccination

Type 1 narcolepsy is caused by deficiency of hypothalamic orexin/hypocretin. An autoimmune basis is suspected, but no specific antibodies, either causative or as biomarkers, have been identified. However, the AS03 adjuvanted split virion H1N1 (H1N1-AS03) vaccine, created to protect against the 2009 Pandemic, has been implicated as a trigger of narcolepsy particularly in children. Sera and CSFs from 13 H1N1-AS03-vaccinated patients (12 children, 1 young adult) with type 1 narcolepsy were tested for autoantibodies to known neuronal antigens including the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2), both associated with encephalopathies that include disordered sleep, to rodent brain tissue including the lateral hypothalamus, and to live hippocampal neurons in culture. When sufficient sample was available, CSF levels of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) were measured. Sera from 44 H1N1-ASO3-vaccinated children without narcolepsy were also examined. None of these patients’ CSFs or sera was positive for NMDAR or CASPR2 antibodies or binding to neurons; 4/13 sera bound to orexin-neurons in rat brain tissue, but also to other neurons. MCH levels were a marginally raised (n = 8; p = 0.054) in orexin-deficient narcolepsy patients compared with orexin-normal children (n = 6). In the 44 H1N1-AS03-vaccinated healthy children, there was no rise in total IgG levels or in CASPR2 or NMDAR antibodies three weeks following vaccination. In conclusion, there were no narcolepsy-specific autoantibodies identified in type 1 narcolepsy sera or CSFs, and no evidence for a general increase in immune reactivity following H1N1-AS03 vaccination in the healthy children. Antibodies to other neuronal specific membrane targets, with their potential for directing use of immunotherapies, are still an important goal for future research.