Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accounting for chip yield at the application level: A case study of a H. 264 video application

This paper presents a case study of the H.264 decoder as a means of illustrating the tremendous gains that can be achieved in “effective yield” if yield is factored in during the design process. We demonstrate that by selectively applying system level algorithms (such as post processing filtering), multimedia systems can easily tolerate memory storage errors orders of magnitude larger than what can be tolerated by simple redundancy and coding techniques. In that context, the paper illustrates a dramatic tolerance of up to 5% bit errors in memory while meeting acceptable standard system specifications metrics such as Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR).
Fast Action Localization in Large-Scale Video Archives

Finding content in large video archives has so far required textual annotation to enable search by keywords. Our aim is to support retrieval from such archives using queries based on the example video clips that contain meaningful human actions. We propose a solution for the scalable search of actions in large-scale archives by leveraging the complementarity between the description at the frame level and the aggregation in time of descriptors. To permit fast search, we introduce a two-level cascade. The inexpensive first level employs aggregation to filter out a large part of the video. At the second level, aided by feature selection, a more discriminative comparison by frame alignment ranks the remaining video sequences. We improve upon the state of the art on popular data sets, and we introduce and show the results on a novel video archive data set that is significantly larger than previous ones.
Humidity Dependence of the Fatigue of High‐Strength Fused Silica Optical Fibers

Strength and dynamic fatigue behavior of silica fibers has been measured as a function of ambient humidity. Bare and polymer-coated fibers were compared to determine the influence of the coating. The results verify earlier work that suggests the degradation reaction is approximately second order with respect to humidity. However, we verify this result using rigorous data analysis techniques and, unlike the earlier work, the result is shown to be independent of the form of the kinetic model for crack growth. Trends in the calculated fatigue parameters illustrate that a simple exponential crack growth law best describes the humidity data. No significant differences were found between coated and bare fibers, provided the coated fibers were properly equilibrated. A data analysis methodology is given for obtaining valid reaction orders independently of the crack growth law form.
Frequency tunable microstrip resonators and filters

This paper presents an electronically tunable microstrip open loop resonator for RF/Microwave multifunctional systems. Tunability is achieved by using varactor diodes. Simulation results for a filter based on these resonators are demonstrated to have a passband shift of 26%. Experimental results are presented to validate the argument along with theoretical considerations.
Étude de l’impact d’une session d’accueil et d’information aux outils informatiques des nouveaux internes au CHU de Bordeaux

Introduction : les etablissements de sante accueillent un nombre important de nouveaux internes chaque semestre. Leur role est de maintenir une bonne prise en charge des patients malgre un turnover eleve. Ils doivent donc pouvoir s’adapter rapidement aux aspects sociaux et aux competences de leur nouvelle fonction. Nous avons teste au CHU de Bordeaux une reunion d’accueil et « d’onboarding » pour optimiser leur integration. « Onboarding » est le terme qui designe l’integration et la socialisation organisationnelle au cours desquelles les nouveaux employes acquierent la connaissance, les competences, et les comportements necessaires pour devenir un membre a part entiere d’une nouvelle entreprise. Les programmes d’integration pourraient aussi permettre de fideliser les futurs medecins a l’hopital public. L’objectif de cette etude etait d’evaluer si une reunion d’accueil le jour d’arrivee des nouveaux internes permet d’ameliorer leur connaissance des ressources informatiques, medicales et humaines disponibles, et quelle est leur perception de cet accueil. Methodes : cette etude observationnelle prospective a porte sur quatre groupes d’internes differents sur une periode de quatre ans. Un premier questionnaire en ligne a ete adresse a tous les internes en stage au CHU de Bordeaux avant la mise en place de la reunion d’accueil, en octobre 2013, puis un deuxieme questionnaire a ete adresse aux internes effectuant leur premier stage au CHU de Bordeaux apres la mise en place de l’accueil, en decembre 2013. Le troisieme questionnaire a ete recueilli 2 ans apres, lors de la reunion d’accueil des nouveaux internes, et le dernier, en mai 2017. Les resultats ont ete compares a l’aide d’un test du Chi2. Resultats : il existait une difference significative entre les 2 premiers groupes, avec une meilleure connaissance des documents d’aide a la pratique clinique dans le deuxieme groupe. L’accueil etait mieux evalue apres la mise en place de la reunion, avec 44,7% le jugeant comme bon et tres bon dans le premier groupe, contre 74,4% dans le deuxieme groupe (p<0,001), et 81,7% dans le quatrieme groupe (p<0,001 compare au groupe 1). La reunion a contribue a donner une meilleure image du CHU de Bordeaux pour 61% d’entre eux. Discussion : la mise en place d’une reunion d’accueil est donc efficace sur l’information des internes et leur perception de l’accueil. Ces resultats soulignent l’importance de poursuivre les efforts en matiere d’accueil, et pourraient etre completes par un accompagnement professionnel sur le long terme.
Erythrocyte and platelet glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in normal and mutant caucasians.

The activity, pH optimum and electrophoretic mobility of platelet glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PD) was investigated in subjects with severe Mediterranean type G6-PD deficiency. Enzyme activity was less than 1% of normal in erythrocytes and 20% of normal in platelets. Investigation of pH optimum and electrophoretic mobility indicated that the mutant enzyme was present in the platelets. It is suggested that the very low activity of the enzyme in erythrocytes is due to a combination of a low specific activity and an increased susceptibility of the mutant enzyme to inactivation in the erythrocyte environment.
Site-specific integration in Saccharopolyspora erythraea and multisite integration in Streptomyces lividans of actinomycete plasmid pSE101

An 11.3-kilobase-pair plasmid, designated pSE101, exists in Saccharopolyspora erythraea NRRL 2338 as an integrated sequence (pSE101int) at a unique chromosomal location and in the free form in less than an average of 1 copy per 10 chromosomes. The plasmid sequence is missing from S. erythraea NRRL 2359. Restriction maps of the free and integrated forms of pSE101 showed point-to-point correspondence. Plasmid pECT2 was constructed by ligation of pSE101, pBR322, and the gene for thiostrepton resistance (tsr). When introduced by polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation into protoplasts of S. erythraea NRRL 2359, all thiostrepton-resistant regenerants examined were found to carry a single copy of pECT2 in the integrated state at a single chromosomal site. The chromosomal site of pECT2 integration in strain NRRL 2359 (attB) corresponded to the chromosomal location of pSE101int in strain NRRL 2338. The plasmid crossover site (attP) was mapped to the plasmid site that corresponded to the site of interruption of the plasmid sequence in the host carrying pSE101int, indicating that site-specific integrative recombination had occurred. An additional 2.8-kilobase-pair chromosomal sequence homologous to a segment of pSE101 was also observed in strains NRRL 2338 and NRRL 2359. After introduction of pECT2 into Streptomyces lividans, approximately half of the transformants examined were found to carry the plasmid as a stable, autonomously replicating element. The other half carried a single copy of pECT2 as an integrated sequence, but the location of pECT2int in Streptomyces lividans varied from one transformant to another. In each case, integrative crossover used the attP site. A model is proposed to account for the determination of the particular state of pSE101 in Streptomyces lividans.
The Body in the Mind: On the Relationship Between Interoception and Embodiment

The processing, representation, and perception of bodily signals (interoception) plays an important role for human behavior. Theories of embodied cognition hold that higher cognitive processes operate on perceptual symbols and that concept use involves reactivations of the sensory-motor states that occur during experience with the world. Similarly, activation of interoceptive representations and meta-representations of bodily signals supporting interoceptive awareness are profoundly associated with emotional experience and cognitive functions. This article gives an overview over present findings and models on interoception and mechanisms of embodiment and highlights its relevance for disorders that are suggested to represent a translation deficit of bodily states into subjective feelings and self-awareness.
Comparison of L-VSC and LCL-VSC converter for HVDC transmission

This paper gives a comparison of L-VSC and LCL VSC AC/DC converter considering a typical HVDC transmission application. The LCL-VSC converter is designed to have low losses and good DC fault protection. The Matlab and PSCAD detailed modeling is used for system design and testing. The models confirm that the LCL-VSC converter has better power control capability when AC voltage stepping ratio is required. The LCL-VSC also does not suffer from high currents under DC faults which is a significant advantage for high power applications. The L-VSC converter has advantages in slightly lower losses and lower converter rating.
The role of stem cells in aesthetic surgery: fact or fiction?

Furthermore, an article published in 20104 by the same scientific group states that: “we have been unable to obtain a single new human MSC transformation event (about 15 independent new adipose tissue samples—both adult and pediatric—and 25 attempts of independent set of cultures). ” Amid the abundant literature studying the interplay between oncogenic transformation and tissue-resident adult stem cells, we have been unable to identify studies supporting spontaneous transformation of stem cells themselves under extended culture conditions. However, we have encountered scientific evidence describing absence of malignant transformation under long-term culture conditions.5 In addition, the retracted reference2 is cited in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery article to raise malignant transformation concerns regarding mesenchymal “stromal” cells. Such claim is deceiving because in the context of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery article, stromal cells refer to a heterogeneous population of multipotent and terminally differentiated cells, all fresh, such as the uncultured adipose stromal vascular cell fraction. Actually, the retracted article2 and its counterpart4 both focus on cultured adipose-derived adult “stem” cells. As rightfully stated in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery article, uncultured cells removed from a patient and implanted during the same surgical procedure pose no greater risk than the operation itself. For that very reason, otherwise legitimate concerns (yet not proven) for malignant transformation of cultured stem cells become unwarranted when applied to other cell populations such as uncultured stromal cells. Although unquestionably in agreement with the overall content of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery article, and particularly on the misleading use of stem cells for marketing purposes, we vouch for caution and rigor to avoid unscientific claims that might threaten this promising field. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001068
Comparison of the effects of chronic intra-articular administration of tenoxicam, diclofenac, and methylprednisolone in healthy rats.

OBJECTIVE Lyophilized drug manufacturing and intra-articular (IA) applications have increased to address gastrointestinal side effects resulting from chronic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for degenerative joint disease. Accordingly, we histologically examined joint and stomach tissues from rats to determine and compare the effects of long-term treatment with an IA corticosteroid (methylprednisolone acetate), lyophilized NSAID (tenoxicam), and non-lyophilized NSAID (diclofenac) following application to the knee joint. METHODS One hundred Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups of 25 rats: control, methylprednisolone, tenoxicam, and diclofenac. Ten IA injections were administered at 1-week intervals. Rats were sacrificed at 48 h and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the tenth injection. Histomorphologically, knee joint samples were examined for osteoarthritic changes and stomach tissue samples for gastric changes. RESULTS Unlike methylprednisolone, diclofenac and tenoxicam caused increased fibrosis and fibroblast production; furthermore, chronic methylprednisolone use had no negative effects on the synovium or cartilage. CONCLUSION Chronic tenoxicam and diclofenac use affects joints more negatively than chronic steroid treatment.
cGMP inhibits IP3‐induced Ca2+ release in intact rat megakaryocytes via cGMP‐ and cAMP‐dependent protein kinases

1 Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor‐mediated Ca2+ release by cGMP was examined in intact rat megakaryocytes, by using a combination of single cell fluorescence microscopy to monitor intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and flash photolysis of caged second messengers. 2 Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, and the hydrolysis‐resistant cGMP analogue 8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)guanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (pCPT‐cGMP) inhibited Ca2+ release induced by photolysis of caged IP3. Neither of them affected the rate of Ca2+ removal from the cytoplasm following photolysis of caged Ca2+. 3 Photolysis of the caged NO donor 3‐morpholinosydnonimine (SIN‐1) during agonist‐induced [Ca2+]i oscillations inhibited Ca2+ release without affecting the rate of Ca2+ uptake and/or extrusion. 4 We conclude that the inhibition of IP3‐induced Ca2+ release is the principal mechanism of NO‐cGMP‐dependent inhibition of [Ca2+]i mobilization. 5 IPG, a specific peptide inhibitor of cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (cGMP‐PK), blocked the inhibitory effect of pCPT‐cGMP, indicating that the inhibition of IP3‐induced Ca2+ release by pCPT‐cGMP is mediated by cGMP‐PK. However, the simultaneous application of both IPG and IP20, a specific peptide inhibitor of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (cAMP‐PK), was required to block the inhibitory effect of SNP. These data strongly suggest that NO‐cGMP‐dependent inhibition of [Ca2+]i mobilization is mediated via the activation of both cGMP‐PK and cAMP‐PK.
Extraction of Patient-Specific 3D Cerebral Artery and Wall Thickness Models from 2D OCT and Structured-Light 3D Scanner Data

We present a work flow for the virtual generation of patient-specific 3D cerebral vessel models including the vessel wall thickness. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is employed for the acquisition of post mortem cerebral vessel image data including the cerebral vessel wall information. Due to OCT image acquisition, the 3D spatial information about the catheter’s path is lost. To overcome this limitation, structured-light 3D scanning is used to obtain landmarks for the approximation of the patient-specific spatial variation of the Circle of Willis (CoW). With a geometrical transformation of the OCT image data to the extracted 3D positions, the vessel’s 3D centerline can be approximated and the segmented contours are translated accordingly. We developed a 3D visualization that allows for 3D evaluation of wall thickness variations. With the presented pipeline, the surface meshes of patient-specific vessel wall models are generated which may be the prerequisite for more complex applications including fluid-structure simulations.
gerStein group at yaLe addS new dimenSion to protein interaCtion networKS

The result is termed the structural interaction network (SIN), which consists of 873 proteins and1269 interactions, 438 which were found to be mutually exclusive. In initial analyses of the SIN, notable properties include a maximum of 14 interaction partners per “hub” protein, in contrast to earlier interactome studies reporting much higher ranges. The approach also distinguishes between “multi-interface” hubs that involve simultaneously possible interactions and “singlish-interface” hubs with mutually exclusive interactions, and shows that the former are more likely to be essential, co-expressed, and show lower evolutionary rate (dN/dS). The SIN dataset and updates can be found at http://sin.gersteinlab. org.
The dramatic increase in total knee replacement utilization rates in the United States cannot be fully explained by growth in population size and the obesity epidemic.

BACKGROUND Total knee replacement utilization in the United States more than doubled from 1999 to 2008. Although the reasons for this increase have not been examined rigorously, some have attributed the increase to population growth and the obesity epidemic. Our goal was to investigate whether the rapid increase in total knee replacement use over the past decade can be sufficiently attributed to changes in these two factors. METHODS We used data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to estimate changes in total knee replacement utilization rates from 1999 to 2008, stratified by age (eighteen to forty-four years, forty-five to sixty-four years, and sixty-five years or older). We obtained data on obesity prevalence and U.S. population growth from federal sources. We compared the rate of change in total knee replacement utilization with the rates of population growth and change in obesity prevalence from 1999 to 2008. RESULTS In 2008, 615,050 total knee replacements were performed in the United States adult population, 134% more than in 1999. During the same time period, the overall population size increased by 11%. While the population of forty-five to sixty-four-year-olds grew by 29%, the number of total knee replacements in this age group more than tripled. The number of obese and non-obese individuals in the United States increased by 23% and 4%, respectively. Assuming unchanged indications for total knee replacement among obese and non-obese individuals with knee osteoarthritis over the last decade, these changes fail to account for the 134% growth in total knee replacement use. CONCLUSIONS Population growth and obesity cannot fully explain the rapid expansion of total knee replacements in the last decade, suggesting that other factors must also be involved. The disproportionate increase in total knee replacements among younger patients may be a result of a growing number of knee injuries and expanding indications for the procedure.
Serum thyroxine concentrations and pregnancy rates 15 to 16 days after ovulation in broodmares.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether serum thyroxine (T4) concentration was associated with pregnancy rates 15 to 16 days after ovulation in mares and to determine whether thyroid hormone supplementation would enhance fertility in mares. DESIGN Cohort study. ANIMALS 329 clinically normal broodmares. PROCEDURE Mares were examined 15 to 16 days after ovulation to determine whether they were pregnant; blood samples for determination of serum T4 concentration were collected at the same time. Sixty mares were receiving thyroid hormone supplementation prior to the study because of low serum T4 concentration (< 16 microg/dl) prior to breeding. RESULTS Serum T4 concentration ranged from 4.5 to 53.9 mg/dl. Forty (12%) mares had low (< 16 microg/dl) concentrations, 283 (86%) had normal concentrations, and 6 (2%) had high (> 45 microg/dl) concentrations. Two hundred thirty-one mares were pregnant 15 to 16 days after ovulation. A significant association between serum T4 concentration (low, normal, or high) and pregnancy (yes or no) was not detected, and logistic regression analysis indicated that serum T4 concentration was not significantly related to pregnancy. Of the 269 mares not receiving thyroid hormone supplementation, 187 were pregnant, and of the 60 mares receiving thyroid supplementation, 44 were pregnant. There was no significant relationship between thyroid hormone supplementation and pregnancy status. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that serum T4 concentration in mares is not significantly associated with pregnancy 15 to 16 days after ovulation. Results also suggest that supplementation of mares that only have low T4 concentrations is not indicated or likely to be beneficial.
The Gender Wage Gap in Croatia – Estimating the Impact of Differing Rewards by Means of Counterfactual Distributions

The aim of this paper is to estimate the size of, changes in, and main factors contributing to gender-based wage differentials in Croatia. It utilizes microdata from the Labor Force Surveys of 1998 and 2008 and applies both OLS and quantile regression techniques to assess the gender wage gap across the wage distribution. The average unadjusted gender wage gap is found to be relatively low and declining. This paper argues that employed women in Croatia possess higher-quality labor market characteristics than men, especially in terms of education, but receive much lower rewards for these characteristics. The Machado-Mata decomposition technique is used to estimate the gender wage gap as the sole effect of differing rewards. The results suggest that due to differing rewards the gap exceeds 20 percent on average - twice the size of the unadjusted gap - and that it increased somewhat between 1998 and 2008. The gap is found to be the highest at the lower-to-middle part of the wage distribution.
Allograft diabetic nephropathy may progress to end‐stage renal disease

Abstract: Mesangial expansion and glomerular basement membrane thickening characteristic of diabetic nephropathy recur in diabetic recipients of renal allografts from non‐diabetic donors but progression to renal failure is minimally documented. Three female renal allograft recipients (aged 40, 62 and 73 yr), who developed end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) due to recurrent diabetic nephropathy (two patients) and de novo diabetes (one patient) are reported. Onset of proteinuria, uncontrolled hypertension, azotemia, renal allograft pathologic findings and the need for hemodialysis were analyzed. None of the kidney donors (one cadaver, two living related) had known diabetes or perturbed glucose metabolism pre‐transplantation. The three patients presented had different varieties of diabetes; type 1, type 2 and new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT). In each subject, proteinuria was detected by dipstick at a mean of 8.3 yr (range 8–9) post‐transplantation and increased to the nephrotic range (3.7–4.8 g/day) inducing hypoalbuminemia and azotemia. A histopathologic diagnosis of allograft diabetic nephropathy was made in a mean of 11.7 yr (range 10–14), based on glomerular basement membrane thickening, nodular and diffuse intercapillary glomerulosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and tubular atrophy with marked tubular basement membrane thickening characteristic of advanced diabetic nephropathy. All three patients manifested uremia and resumed hemodialysis. Two patients died from sepsis within 2 months and one patient died 2.5 yr later after resumption of maintenance hemodialysis. We infer that recurrent or de novo diabetic nephropathy in renal allografts follows a clinical decade‐long course irrespective of diabetes. Reports of ESRD due to allograft diabetic nephropathy (ADN) have been limited because of shorter survival of diabetic transplant recipients and few kidney biopsies performed in patients with chronic allograft dysfunction. The occurrence of allograft diabetic nephropathy in some, but not all patients, however, suggests that individual genetic variability modulates disease expression.